Golden Gate Fire District -- Children and Fire

Children are curious about fire and that curiosity can have deadly consequences.

Nationally, 55 percent of arrested arsonists are under 18 years old. One third of those arrested are children under 15 years old. Five percent of those arrested are under the age of 10, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Their fires resulted in 622 deaths and $2.7 billion in property damage in one year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The Golden Gate Fire Control and Rescue District offers an alternative punishment for children caught or arrested for playing with fire -- the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program. The program is taught by Kevin Schoch, a driver/engineer with the fire district. He teaches children and their families about the dangerous consequences of playing with matches and lighters. The program boasts an extremely high success rate and is often offered to children arrested for arson as an alternative to criminal punishment. However, not every child is a candidate for the program, and Eng. Schoch must first evaluate a child to determine eligibility for the program.

We are here to serve you. Please contact us if you'd like to know how to teach your children about fire and its uses or if you feel a child may be eligible for the program. E-mail us or call us at 348-7540.

Below are some signs to look for if you suspect a child is interested in fire. This information comes from the United States Fire Administration.

Curious firesetters

Boys and girls, ages 2-10
Most do not understand the damage fire may cause
Most have easy access to lighters or matches
Most are often unsupervised

Serious firesetters

Have set two or more fires
Most do not understand the consequences of setting fires
Use fires as cries for help to express anger, sadness, frustration or feelings about stressful changes
Continue to set fires until someone identifies their needs

Criminal firesetters

Most are teens who have set other fires, had behavioral problems or problems with alcohol and/or drugs
Many set fires to destroy or vandalize
Many set fires in schools, fields, dumpsters or abandoned buildings
May be required to pay restitution or suffer criminal punishment if caught

Other cases

Children may set fires for no readily apparent reason. The fires could be random or deliberate and an indicator that a child needs mental health counseling.