cpd209
Junior Member
GOD CREATED POLICEMEN SO FIREFIGHTERS WOULD HAVE HEROES
Posts: 21
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Post by cpd209 on Oct 21, 2006 19:27:22 GMT -5
I was just wondering among the chiefs in this County how many of you have had to deal with Juveniles setting fires in their area, or if any of you have gone and spoke to any kids about starting fires
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Post by strangeone on Oct 21, 2006 19:51:06 GMT -5
Myself I have had the displeasure of preaching about setting fires on 2 separate occasions with youngsters in the past 2 years and I also make a attempt to make the parents a little wiser to the facts of the younger fire starters. When we were involved (before the school closed)I enjoyed the fact that we were invited to the school to help teach fire safety and I always touched a bit on firebugs to the students.
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Post by SIERRA 14 on Oct 22, 2006 11:56:09 GMT -5
Unfortunately on many occasions juveniles are involved in causing wildland fires. Dealing with juveniles in this capacity is not an aspect of my job that I enjoy however it can be very gratifying when you get a juvenile help or make a positive impact on them.
I attended a Juvenile Firesetter seminar in Johnstown a few years ago that was put on by the State Police. It was a very enlightening and eye opening!
If anybody believe juveniles are involved with causing any type of fire I highly suggest the proper authorities are contacted. Don't just simply say "It's just kids" or "kids will be kids" or "they said they learned their lesson" and so on. Sweeping it under the rug is not the answer!
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Post by 921batt on Oct 22, 2006 21:09:58 GMT -5
Ah a topic close to my heart.
After 10 years of dealing with juvenile fire starters I think I learned a few things. One of our largest problems is that we (Fire Officers) are too quick to dismiss those tiny trash fires in the park. You usually hear E-7 to dispatch on location Columbus park small trash fire no exposure problem, fire out on arrival make E-7 available. Whats wrong with this picture! Let me tell you that when I was active in the program E-7 officer rec'd a call from me when they returned to quarters. I have a pretty good idea about how that one started because it was the 5th one this month. The other thing that peeved me was when I read the NFIRS report about the incidents. Line C ignition factor discarded cigarette, discarded match and an occasional spontaneous ignition. C'mon guys look deeper, the cause of these fires stood in a group and watched you put the fire out. The brazen ones come up and talk about how they saw a bunch of kids start the fire. Let the problem go and you will be fighting that house fire that overlooks the park.
This problem knows no boundaries, my experience is mostly with urban youth but I have done most of our County cases involving adjudicated youth from suburban areas. Since my promotion I have not been able to deal with the volume of kids we receive and this pains me. I get in the old office and try to catch up when I am not fighting fires, trying to balance manpower, writing reports and performing ancillary duties.
Anyone out there that has a question about Juvenile Fire Setters can call or post a note to me and I will be glad to talk shop with you. Let me help! I was thinking of an informal seminar up at deer camp (Lithcfield) this year B.Y.O.B.
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cpd209
Junior Member
GOD CREATED POLICEMEN SO FIREFIGHTERS WOULD HAVE HEROES
Posts: 21
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Post by cpd209 on Oct 23, 2006 14:09:22 GMT -5
Myself along with Canton 1 and Canton 2 attended a Juvenile Firesetter class last year in Scranton, I have dealt with a couple of incidents here at work with the assistance of Canton 1 on the subject, it would be nice to get something set up County wide to help deal with this issue, instead of once a year during fire prevention weekend, this is only my opinion.
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