2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 and 2003)

5. 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)

6. 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)

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

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

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

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