Youth Fire Stop Program

Youth Fire Stop is a program designed to prevent misuse of fire by youth in our community and to educate and intervene when endangerment involving fire occurs. Youth Fire Stop, formerly known as Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program, has been streamlined in order to make the program more effective.

The Youth Fire Stop Program is part of the Fire Investigations Unit and is in the Administration Division.

Fast Facts

• Between 2007-2011, fires set by youth in the US accounted for more than 49,300 fires. These fires  caused 80 civilian deaths and 860 civilian injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• The average age of a child who misuses fire is 11 years old, but the program is designed for children as young as 3 and as old as  17.
• 80% of children will be repeat offenders if left untreated by a youth firesetter intervention program.
• 80% of the children that misuse fire are males.
• Youth account for 41% of arson arrests.
• The primary cause of middle school and high school fires are incendiary or suspicious fires set by students.

Youth Fire Stop Prevention and Intervention Program  -   Referral Process 

Thank you for your interest in referring a child to the Youth Fire Stop Program.

We accept referrals from parents, guardians, teachers, social workers, therapists, guidance counselors, diversion officers, school resource officers, probation officers and other professionals.

Once a child is referred, a trained intervention specialist will contact the parent or guardian to schedule an interview within 24 to 48 hours.  If the intervention specialist believes the program is appropriate, the family will need to attend a course which educates the child and parent(s)/guardian(s) by discussing this dangerous behavior and how to prevent continued misuse of fire.