Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program

The San Francisco Fire Department Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program (JFSIP) is designed to identify, educate, refer and evaluate the progress of at-risk youth who are prone to fire setting/arson behavior. The program identifies the scope and impact of child fire setting and juvenile arson and activates preventative and intervention measures through the education of the child as well as the education of the parent(s).

The goal of the JFSIP is to create and implement identification, prevention and intervention strategies to address fire setting behavior successfully.

• Children and the Fire Problem
  • 23 out of 100 people who die in fires in the U.S are children.
  • Child fire setting causes 284 deaths, 2800 injuries, and 280 million dollars in property loss nationwide each year.
  • FBI Crime Index shows that 50% of all arson arrests are youth 18 years old or younger.
  • More than half are under the age of 15 years old.
  • 7% are under the age of 10!

The program is designed to work closely with Schools, Community Mental Health, Social Services, Police and Parents. Remember, for children, interest in fire is natural; setting fires is not! If you and your child need help, please contact the Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program.