Child Firelighting
Childhood firelighting causes thousands of dollars worth of property
loss each year. As well as the financial cost there is also an emotional
and social cost to families who have lost their home through a child
setting fire to it.
The
Juvenile Fire Awareness and Intervention Program (JFAIP) is aimed
at children who have engaged in fire lighting behaviour or are considered
to be at risk of this behaviour.
Firefighters, who are trained practitioners, visit the child
at home to conduct an initial interview. Then over a number of
weeks
they visit the child at home to conduct a series of interventions
with the aim to educate and promote fire safe behaviour.
The practitioners' partnership with parents helps develop an environment
where the child and all family members learn safe, responsible behaviour.
Development of the child's trust is crucial. Practitioners focus
entirely on fire safety education and reward positive behaviour.
Referrals to the program come from a variety of sources including
the child’s parents, the fire brigade, schools, Department
of Human Services and the Police. Parents must agree to their child
participating in the program prior to it starting.
JFAIP is a joint program with the Metropolitan
Fire and Emergency Services Board.
There is no cost to parents / guardians for the program.
For further information about JFAIP, contact your local CFA
Region office.
