Juvenile firesetting is a rapidly growing problem. Every year over half of all arson arrests are juveniles – which is the only crime in which juveniles are arrested more than adults. Children who set fires either accidently or on purpose cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage each year. Juvenile set fires are not only costly, but extremely dangerous as well. Juvenile firesetting places the lives of the firesetter, other family members, other people in the community, and firefighters at risk. Juvenile firesetting accounts for over 300 deaths and 2000 injuries a year. It should also be noted that over 30% of the fires that kill children are set by children.
Did you know that the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation has an intervention program for juveniles who have set fire or are interested in fire play? Most children, at some point in their lives, will play with fire. Over 80% of these children, without intervention, will likely play with fire again. AARBF’s Fire FRIENDS (Regional Intervention, Education, Network & Delivery System) program helps to drastically decrease juvenile set fires.
Fire FRIENDS is a program located out of Orange County that provides intervention education to juveniles who are at risk of playing or setting a fire. Every year over 100 children ages 4-18 are taught about the danger of fire and the consequences of certain decisions.
Partnering with Orange County fire departments, OC probation & court system, Chapman University, and other parents and educators, Fire FRIENDS provides vital intervention and education on several different levels, ranging from 1 hour fire prevention course, to 6 hour classes that teach not only fire prevention, but also legal consequences, and how to make good choices. Behavioral health services are also offered to Fire FRIENDS enrollees.
Fire FRIENDS recognizes that there are many reasons children set fires; either out of curiosity, as a cry of help, or for more delinquent reasons. Fire FRIENDS successfully helps each child and family, no matter what the cause, by helping not only to change the behavior, but to change what causes the behavior as well.
Is your child showing interest in fire? Use the opportunity to teach your child about the dangers of fire. If the problem still persists, you may want to contact your local fire department. It only takes one match to cause so much damage.
If you are interested in the Fire FRIENDS program or would like to help us support this valuable resource, you can visit our website at http://firefriends.org/ or contact Lindsay Chisler at 1-888-492-2876 or Lchisler@aarbf.org.

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