Operation FireSAFE Is dedicated to three selfless men Captain Bennie D. Zellner Captain Jimmy L. Ayres Firefighter Jeffrey N. Lindsay of the Oklahoma City Fire Department who died in the line of duty in 1989 while fighting a fire set by a four year old boy.

IS THERE STILL A PROBLEM? Although the number of child-set fires have decreased, there is still a problem. About half of all intentionally set fires are started by children. (Arson in the US, USFA, January 2001) Estimated that the vast majority of child set fires are not reported because a family member discovers and extinguishes the fire.

NATIONAL STATISTICS In 2002 nationwide: (in 1999) 13,900 reported child set fires (41,910) 1250 injuries (1901) 210 deaths (165) $339 million in property loss ($272 million) (Children Playing with Fire, NFPA, Nov. 2005 and 2003)

NATIONAL STATISTICS Area of origin: Source of ignition: Bedroom: 52% all sources (63% lighter) Source of ignition: Lighters: 40% Matches: 31% First item ignited: Mattress or bedding: 32% Clothing: 11% (Children Playing with Fire, NFPA, Nov. 2003)

NATIONAL STATISTICS 3 / 5 fatal home fires started by children. (Child-set Fires Report, NFPA 2000) Fire play is the leading cause of fire deaths among preschoolers. (Child Fire Casualties, USFA, March 2001) Nearly HALF of all children have engaged in fire play at some time. (Report on Fire Loss, FEMA, 1998)

FIRE SETTING MOTIVES Ages 2 – 7 years old: Fire Interest Ages 5 – 10 years old: Fireplay Ages 7 – 18 years old: Crisis Fire Setting

A BIT OF HISTORY 1989: Research for program begins 1991: One time grant of $20,000.00 from the US Department of Justice 1992: Regional Program initiated 1995: FireSAFE Foundation created

PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS Bethany Fire Department Choctaw Fire Department Del City Fire Department Edmond Fire Department El Reno Fire Department Guthrie Fire Department Midwest City Fire Department Moore Fire Department Mustang Fire Department Newalla Fire Department Newcastle Fire Department Norman Fire Department Oklahoma Air National Guard Oklahoma City Fire Department Shawnee Fire Department Spencer Fire Department Tinker Air Force Base Fire Protection Branch Tulsa Fire Department The Village Fire Department Warr Acres Fire Department Will Rogers World Airport Fire Department Yukon Fire Department

COMMUNITY PARTNERS Association of Central Oklahoma Governments Mid-Del Youth and Family Center Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Oklahoma State Department of Health OU Health Sciences -Pediatric Psychology Oklahoma Air National Guard Oklahoma City-County Health Department Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office-Juvenile Justice Tulsa Fire Marshal's Office Youth Services for Oklahoma County, Inc. Oklahoma SAFE KIDS Coalition Oklahoma City Public Schools Red Rock Behavioral Health Services Junior Hospitality State Farm Insurance Kirkpatrick Family Fund

RESOURCES & REFERRALS Juvenile Firesetter Program Fire Service MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Counseling and Therapy Psychiatric/Clinical Evaluation Hospitals and Clinics Parents Schools Daycare Juvenile Firesetter Program Police SOCIAL SERVICES Counseling—Youth & Family Financial Assistance Housing Assistance Child Protective Services Social Service Mental Health Services Medical Centers Burn Units Pediatric Units CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Prosecutor Juvenile Court Probation Detention Restitution Public Health Agencies Churches

OPERATION FIRESAFE Objectives: Method: Philosophy: Reduce incidence of juvenile fireplay Prevent re-occurrence Method: Educational intervention program for children who play with fire Public Awareness Campaigns Philosophy: Successful non-punitive approach Confidential Evaluate need for further counseling

PROCESS Referrals (identification of need): Gender of fire setters: About 65% from Fire Department Personnel About 32% call in from Caregivers About 2.5% from Courts / Police About .5% from Other sources Gender of fire setters: 83% males – 17% females (Oklahoma City Fire Department statistics)

STEPS Contact Parents Interviews Explain program Schedule interview Releases and background forms Standard FEMA forms Separate interviews for caregivers / child

STEPS Educational Session Building rapport Age appropriate and incident specific Address at risk behavior Variety of educational materials / methods

STEPS Mental Health Consultation Mental Health Referral The FD completes information for counselors It does not does not conduct evaluations Report is referred to Mental Health Agency Mental Health Referral Mental Health Agency follows up if counseling is required

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING Goals: Help the child and the family Prevent further fire play or firesetting Address related issues: Lack of supervision Need for attention Stress: moving, divorce, death Mischief, impulsiveness, unresolved issues

IT WORKS! Of the 2041 children that have come through the OCFD program since 1991, only 36 or 1.8% have returned for repeated fire play behavior. (As of December 2004) Similar trends reported by other participating Fire Departments.

REGIONAL STATISTICS Reported Child-Set Fires in Central Oklahoma (based on data from Operation FireSAFE, 1993-2004)

YOU CAN HELP You can help make a difference by: Referring caregivers / concerned citizens to the trained personnel at your fire department.

If you would like more information contact: Major Tim Adams Okc. Fire Department (405) 297-3318