Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have Fire Service personnel who advise and educate children and young people of the dangers of fire and the consequences of their actions.
Advisors do not take part in counselling or chastising children. On the first visit the advisors will give one-to-one fire safety education to the child. A folder containing twelve activities is left with the parents who will allocate it to the child on a weekly basis and give support with its completion. In addition on the first visit the brigade will offer a home safety survey.
Advisors will leave a contact card with the parents or guardians who will be advised to contact the scheme's administrator if the child continues to play with fire. The advisors will then be asked to make a second visit.
After a three month period, contact will be made with the parents or guardians to ascertain the effectiveness of the scheme. If the scheme is proved to be successful in preventing fire play then a certificate will be awarded from the Chief Fire Officer to acknowledge the child’s achievement.
Where it is recognised within the junior scheme that the fire setting is a result of behavioural problems the Youth Officer will adopt a multi-agency approach directing parents to other professionals with the relevant expertise.
| Signs of recurrent firesetting behaviour |
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Small burn holes in carpets, charred paper in sinks and bins |
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Matches or lighters hidden in your child’s room |
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An unusual fascination with fires |
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Unknown fires in your home |
| Addressing Arson through Education |
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Arson is a major concern to the Fire Authorities around the country, in Shropshire from April 2002 – March 2003, 50% of fires were identified as deliberate.
In response to this growing problem, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have launched three educational initiatives to address the needs of children and young people who are involved in fire play and the crime of arson.
These initiatives are designed to operate within two age groups influenced by the age of criminal responsibility.
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The Junior Fire Education Scheme is primarily aimed at 4-9 year olds (although we do educate older children at parental request) |
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The two Juvenile Intervention schemes are for young people at risk of offending and those young people convicted of arson and vehicle crimes. |
The fundamental principle of the education is fire safety education. Intervention workers do not offer counselling or chastise the children. Where it is recognised within the junior scheme that the fire setting is a result of behavioural problems the Youth Officer will adopt a multi-agency approach directing parents to other professionals with the relevant expertise.
The prime objective of the Juvenile Intervention course is to educate young people at risk of offending and convicted young offenders of the dangers of fire and the consequences of their actions. There are two separate levels of intervention to meet the needs of these young people. All referrals for juvenile intervention work whether arson or vehicle crime should be directed through our partner agency Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin’s Youth Offending Service.
Together we can reduce incidences of fire play and arson and make our county a safer place to live
Further information
Lynn Hosking
Youth Officer
01743 260 257
Chris Page
Scheme Administrator
01743 260 254
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