B. Aaron Johnson, Program Coordinator(772) 288-5633

bajohnso@martin.fl.us

Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program

Fire Setting is Arson!

55% of all United States arson arrests are children under the

age of 18.

Florida Statutes Defining Arson:• FSS 806.01 Arson –• Any person who willfully and unlawfully, or while in the

commission of any felony, by fire or explosion, damages or causes to be damaged:• Any dwelling, whether occupied or not, or its contents;

…is guilty of arson in the first degree, which constitutes a felony of the first degree

• FSS 806.101 False alarms of fires-• Whoever, without reasonable cause, by outcry or the ringing of

bells, or otherwise, makes or circulates, or causes to be made or circulated, a false alarm of fire, shall for the first conviction be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

SFMO Juvenile Policies/Procedures:

If juvenile is:

• under 7 years of age fire shall be ruled accidental• between the ages of 7 and 18 fire may, based on mental competency, be ruled incendiary

In all cases, the juvenile shall be referred to a juvenile fire setter intervention program.

MCFR SOG #302:

An investigator SHALL be requested for all fires which:• have obvious evidence of arson

• involve any juvenile fire setter activities

• are suspicious or there is doubt as to the origin• the IC is unable to determine an accidental cause• there is significant dollar loss• an explosion occurs• any fire related loss of life• any fire related burn injuries

MCFR SOG #302:

An investigator SHALL be requested for all fires which:• have obvious evidence of arson• involve any juvenile fire setter activities

In the event a juvenile, regardless of intent, causes the fire the Martin County Sheriff’s Office shall respond and the juvenile arrest procedure shall be followed.

Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program Model:

Step 1 - Identification

Document the incident. Obtain juvenile/parent information. Notify Fire Prevention.

Step 2 – Determination of Appropriate Program

If juvenile is between ages of 8-18, he/she shall be charged with a misdemeanor or felony, and will be referred to the program via the court system.

If the incident is accidental, or first offense, program participation is voluntary, and should be encouraged.Step 3 - Program Strategies

To prevent future fire setting through education, by making the juvenile aware of the responsibilities, effects, and consequences of fire setting.

Additional Resources:

www.stopfiresetting.com

www.nfpa.org

www.theideabank.com

B. Aaron Johnson, Program Coordinator(772) 288-5633

bajohnso@martin.fl.us

Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program