Welcome to the Florida Youth Firesetter Intervention Network!

It is not normal for children to play with fire.  Curiosity about fire is common due to what a child sees their parents, caregivers and teachers do; however, as adults we must take the opportunity to educate the child on how fire can be good, like when we are cooking and when fire can be bad when a child is playing with matches and sets something on fire.  Young children are not able to understand the dangers of fire, so it is important to educate them.

The first step for parents and caregivers is to recognize that your child needs help.  If your child has already set a fire, this can be a call for help.  This firesetting behavior is being trigger by someone or something, and your child will need help from a professional intervention specialist or mental health professional to stop this behavior.  Children normally stop firesetting behavior after completing a youth firesetting intervention program.

If a juvenile under the age of 18 sets a fire, and the property that was set on fire belongs to them or someone else, this can be a crime.  In Florida, it is considered arson when any person willfully and unlawfully damages property of themselves or another by fire or explosion.  Arson is a serious crime in Florida; however, most state attorneys, juvenile justice and fire investigators work towards placing the juvenile in a firesetter intervention program instead of jail time.

Children who have any type of disorder, ADHD or even autism can attend an intervention program.  During the screening process, the Intervention Specialist will be able to decide on the proper education intervention for the child to correct behavior.