Brandon Youth Fire Stop

Operating in Brandon since 1991, this program involves Firefighter/Paramedicss who volunteer to work as counselors with children who have fire setting problems. We work with a network of resource agencies which are trained to deal with fire setters. The Fire Stop Program relies on references from concerned parents or guardians, human resource agencies, local fire departments, schools, etc.. First, the child may be called back to the local Fire Hall for a series of "educational visits" or referred to a Community Resource Agency. The Brandon Youth Fire Stop Program is dedicated to preventing child set fires.

The Fire Stop Program would like to:

• Stop curiosity fire setters from injuring themselves or others.
• Reduce property damage caused by children playing with fire.
• Prevent the child fire setter from becoming an adult fire setter.

The four separate and distinct types of fire-setters which we have encountered since the inception of this program are:

1. Curious:
   • The majority of these types are between 2 and 7 years of age.
   • They imitate adults that light cigarettes, candles, campfires, etc...
   • It is normal for them to have curiosity with matches or fire but in general they must be taught proper use of fire and that fire is a destructive force.
2. Troubled:
   • Generally a child from 2 to teenage which is crying out for help.
   • Some signs to watch for would be: plays alone, inability to form close relationships, shyness, impulsive fighting with siblings or peers, extreme mood swings, bed-wetting, stuttering, hyperactivity, aggressive behaviour.
   • Some of these children express anger by hurting themselves or destroying their own toys.
   • A large majority of these children have problems at school, this could be a response to abuse or neglect.
   • They rarely come from a happy home situation.
   • Setting fires is a way to act out their anger.
3. Delinquent:
   • Usually in their early teens with a history of suspicious fires.
   • Usually an act of vandalism for pure enjoyment or destroying property
   • Targets for their arsons are usually abandoned buildings, open fields or schools.
   • Fires can be large, premeditated and sophisticated.
   • Experts say that these delinquent fire-setters have a history of lying, stealing, truancy and possible substance abuse.
4. Severely Disturbed:
   • Very small percentage of fire-setters.
   • All ages are represented but all have behaviour problems.
   • Most of the severly distured fire-setters are in mental or correctional institutions. Their treatment process is complicated, lengthy and expensive with no easy solutions.

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