JUVENILE FIRE SETTERS

Juvenile Fire Setters

Table of Contents

Introduction2

Discussion2

Experimental/Curiosity: Usually younger than 7 (average)3

Thrill Seeking: 11-12 year old onset (average)3

Delinquent: 11-12 year old onset (average)3

Revenge: 15 year old onset (average)4

Disordered Coping: early childhood onset (average)4

Cluster and Fraud: adult5

Consequences5

Risk factors6

Intervention7

Conclusion7

References9

Juvenile Fire Setters

Introduction

Juvenile fire setting is a problem that we can and will see in the schools. Fortunately for the schools, unfortunate for the community, most of these behaviors take place outside of the school setting. But, emotionally unstable and psychologically impaired students have been known to set fires in schools both as "fire play" and aggressive arson. With the growing number of children with special psychological and emotional needs in the schools, we could see an uptick in the prevalence of fire setting and related behavior. We have already begun to experience more frequent disruption to some of the schools because of the erratic behavior of students as demonstrated in school violence, bullying and other forms of antisocial behavior. Fire setting is only one of many threatening behaviors we see in the students today for a number of psycho-social reasons, too numerous and convoluted to explore.

Discussion

Many times children who start fires get hurt from those fires. Juvenile fire setting is a problem that needs to be addressed. Dr. Williams stressed the need for a comprehensive juvenile fire setter program to stop the behavior. All disciplines need to be involved: the fire service, police, family, mental health, the judicial system. One group cannot stop the behavior alone. Helping many of the fire setters we in the fire service see is beyond the area of expertise. We can ask questions and then the role may be passing the information to other professionals. Dr. Williams identified seven different classifications of fire setters.

Experimental/Curiosity: Usually younger than 7 (average)

These fire setters have no pattern of fire setting and get upset after the fire. The fires set are usually opportunity driven. There is a lack of supervision and easy access to fire setting materials. The fire was not set to cause harm or damage property. Stress the importance of limiting access to ignition devices when working with these fire setters and their families.

Thrill Seeking: 11-12 year old onset (average)

These fire setters are almost always male and often are diagnosed with opposition defiant or conduct disorder. Their fire setting needs to be interrupted by age 16-17 or the fire setting continues through adulthood. The fires set become more dangerous over time. These fire setters are doing other "bad" things as well as fire setting. They enjoy risk and the sensation of getting away with a crime. They tend to enjoy drama and watching the chaos. They make news and love it. Trouble at school and home is common for this fire setter. They tend to be good manipulators, shallow, selfish, lack moral compass, and are not bothered by guilt. They are good at reading body language and figuring out what people want and then doing it (Webb et al, 1990). Be specific about rules and expectations when working with thrill ...