Overview
Pennsylvania is one of the few states with a written standard on juvenile firesetting. It addresses prevention and intervention.
In the early 2000s, fires caused by juveniles had become a common occurrence. This led us to form the Pennsylvania Child Firesetting and Juvenile Arson Task Force in 2001.
Today, a committee runs Pennsylvania's juvenile firesetter intervention program. It oversees four workgroups.
Youth-Set Fires
Our mission is to tackle juvenile firesetting in Pennsylvania. It is a widespread and harmful problem. We aim to reduce the risk of fire-related deaths, injuries, and property damage.
- Children ignite over 100,000 reported fires every year in the U.S.
- Yearly, fires set by youth cause an estimated 350 deaths and over 3,000 injuries.
- Youth-set fires cost over $350 million a year in fire protection and property loss.
- More than half of those arrested for arson are younger than 18.
- Almost 7 percent of youth arrested for arson are younger than 10.
- More than 80 percent of children who set fires will be repeat offenders if left untreated.
A united community can address the needs of children and youth, as shown by their firesetting.
Pennsylvania's Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program
The task force had to establish programs to address juvenile firesetting in Pennsylvania. It was to develop and implement statewide intervention efforts.
Members must have the following to be chosen to serve on the Advisory Board.
- The right knowledge
- Experience
- Interest in the topic
They must also represent the necessary fields to solve the problem of child-set fires.
JFS Intervention Advisory Group
The JFS Intervention Advisory Group has experts in several fields that work with children, youth, and adolescents.
The original task force has become the Pennsylvania Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Advisory Group, including:
- Original members
- State agencies
- Local agencies
Pennsylvania's juvenile firesetting intervention and prevention is via the JFS Advisory Group. The OSFC Public Education Information Specialist manages it.
A major Task Force achievement was a written state standard for juvenile firesetter mitigation and prevention. Task Force members spent four years creating a standard. It is called "The Pennsylvania Juvenile Firesetter (JFS) Intervention Protocol."
The Protocol provides the basis for implementing statewide regional juvenile firesetter intervention programs.
Some of the Pennsylvania Protocol's material came from policies in other states' standards. It also drew from the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association.
The following professionals and organizations have the dedication and expertise to deal with the impact of youth-set fires:
- Corporal Nolan Brewbaker, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit Supervisor
- Mary Brady-Lookingbill, Adjunct Professor Graduate Social Work West Chester University
- Jessica Banks, Prevention Education Director, Burn Prevention Foundation
- Tracie M. Young-Brungard, Certification Program Manager, PA State Fire Academy
- Bryan Coy, Abraxas
- Ryan Korn, Dauphin County Case Management Unit
Workgroup Members
- George Stapleton, Administrator, PA State Fire Academy
- Ethan Davis, Department of Public Welfare - Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services
- Maureen McCormick, Chester County
- Steve Dobson, Chester County
- Mark Kramer, Bucks County Fire Marshal Division
- Brian Dean, Abraxas
- William Junkin III, Harrisburg Bureau of Fire
- Dahl Krow, Department of Public Welfare - Bureau of Human Services Licensing
- Diane Mercer, Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Prevention Division
- Steven Schneider, Burn Prevention Network
- David Michaels, Chief - York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services
- Jackie Umberger, Chambersburg Fire Department
- Richard Gibbons, Director of EMS - PA Department of Health
- Tom Cook, PA Acting State Fire Commissioner
The Office of the State Fire Commissioner handles inquiries about juvenile firesetter issues statewide.
Any resident, professional, agency, or organization may contact the OSFC. They will receive help or a referral to someone who can assist them. The Public Education – Information Specialist manages the State Intervention Advisory Group.
