Juvenile Fire Setter Program

A juvenile fire setter is an adolescent under the age of 17 years old. The adolescent becomes involved in fire setting behavior as a result of: Curiosity, Crisis, Peer-pressure, Delinquency, Neurotic reasons

The Youth Firesetters Intervention Network of Volusia County is a multi-agency collaborative effort to provide educational and diversionary programs for youth directly involved in fire setting behaviors.

The program’s overall objective is to keep these children out of the judicial system and prevent any possible injuries or property damage that may result from this behavior.

How the program works

This program is a one-on-one fire safety class for child and parent. The first step will include an assessment to determine the child's behavior category. This will determine the correct course of action with age-appropriate activities, videos, and a question and answer session for the family. The program could include referrals to social services for additional counseling to benefit the child.

Referrals initiate from on-duty fire department personnel, police department personnel, and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). If the program is ordered by DJJ, information is required to be provided to the appointing judge.

Contact

If you are aware of a child 17 or under who has started a fire or is known to play with matches/lighters, please contact the Fire Safety Unit for information about these opportunities.