Ann Psychiatr Clin Neurosci | Volume 1, Issue 1 | Review Article | Open Access
Don Porth1, Kimberly Dodson2, Cody Charette3, Kathi Osmonson4, Diane Harr5, Trisha Kivisalu6, Jerrod Brown5,7,8* and Amanda Fenrich9
1PreventThink Life Safety Education and Consulting, USA
2University of Houston - Clear Lake, USA
3Alliant International University, USA
4Deputy State Fire Marshal, Fire and Life Safety Educator, USA
5Concordia University, USA
6UT Health, USA
7Pathways Counseling Center, USA
8American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies, USA
9Washington State Department of Corrections, USA
*Correspondance to: Jerrod Brown
Fulltext PDFFiresetting is a concerning behavior which is typically first exhibited in childhood and adolescence. According to the fires set by youth averaged 49,300 fires, 860 civilian injuries, and 80 deaths per year between 2007 and 2011. The United States Fire Administration estimates that from 2009 to 2011, 4,000 school building fires were reported to fire departments causing 75 injuries and $66.1 million in property loss. Forty two percent of these fires were deemed intentional. Schools have increased security measures related to firearms and weapons, but less efforts and attention have been placed on firesetting behaviors. Fires occurring on school property can impact the entire school in terms of mortality, injury, health, and economic welfare associated with damages. Educators are in a unique and pivotal position to monitor child and youth behaviors and may be able to identify early signs and actions akin to firesetting. Moreover, educators can respond immediately when firesetting is identified in the school context. Those employed in the field of education, including administration, teachers, counselors, and paraprofessionals, may not have prior knowledge or training on effective strategies and methods to intervene. This article provides a foundation for educators regarding firesetting awareness as well as effective assessment, treatment, and interventions.
Firesetting; Interventions; Education; School Behavior; Youth
Porth D, Dodson K, Charette C, Osmonson K, Harr D, Kivisalu T, et al. Youth Firesetting Behaviors: A Review for Education Professionals. Ann Psychiatr Clin Neurosci. 2018;1(1):1007.