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Welcome
This page will offer information about the Cape and Islands Youth Firesetting Intervention Team, located on Cape Cod, Mass.
Mission Statement:
To identify, prevent and rehabilitate youths involved in firesetting actions and behaviors and misuse of fire within Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard through intervention, education, and mental health services.
Program information
About the Program
The Cape and Island Youth Firesetting Intervention Team (YFIT) is a non-disciplinary multi-agency entity aimed at servicing the communities of Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes Counties. The team is made up of thirty members representing backgrounds from mental health agencies, fire departments, juvenile justice systems and law enforcement. These thirty members have been trained to a National Fire Academy curriculum on interviewing and initial assessments of a youth involved in an incident pertainining to setting or the misuse of fires.
Background
According to data from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, in 2020 youth set fires accounted for 86 reported fires in Massachusetts resulting in $1.9 million dollars in damage and several injuries to both civilians and firefighters. Youth firesetting behaviors can surface for a variety of underlying reasons. The goal of the program is to interview a youth that has been misusing fire, and offer appropriate education and mental health referrals if needed. This program offers this evaluation and educational sessions at no charge to the participants. Reporting these incidents is the first step the stopping the firestting behaviors and educating the youth, and if needed referring to mental health professionals.
The belief of children misusing fire as being "just a phase" that will pass is a misconception. It is important to properly educate children and youths on the appropriate uses and dangers associated with fires. The size of a fire that a child lights can also cause adults to downplay or minimize the severity of the issue. Even a child lighting "just a small fire" is cause for concern, as all fires start small.
Youth set fires on Cape Cod as recently as 2021 resulted in fires with dollar losses over $100,000. In addition there have been recent fires on Cape Cod that were set by children "playing" that have resulted in the loss of life.
In April 2022, 24 members from local Fire, Police, Mental Health, and Juvenile Justice systems participated in a training from the National Fire Academy. This training was sponsored by the Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office, supported by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and hosted by the Barnstable Adult Community Center. The two-day training covered identification and motivational factors related to youth firesetting in addition to use of interview and assessment forms.
How it works
What to do if a child sets a fire
If a youth is found to have set a fire, the first step is to call the fire department to make sure that the fire is fully out. Instances that do not warrant a fire department response can and should still be reported to the Youth Firesetting Intervention Team. These reports/ referrals can be made by anybody at any time. Common referrals are made by family members/parents/guardians, school officials, school resource officers, mental health clinicians or other caregivers and courts.
What Happens Next?
You will be contacted by a program manager of the YFIT within 48-72 hours. A time will be scheduled to interview the youth and adult at a safe neutral location. The interview is made up of a validated questionnaire and presented in a discussion/conversation format. The questionnaire will be evaluated and based on the scoring a recommendation of a fire safety education plan and or a referral to a mental health provider will be made.
The hope is that a family and youth will follow through with an education plan and if recommended, a mental health referral. However, participation in any parts of this program are voluntary.
I don't want my child to get in trouble
The goal of the Youth Firesetting Intervention Team is to help children and youths, not to punish them. In some instances youths are already being disciplined by incidents that happen in school or private property. The YFIT program does not bring any charges against participants, but instead screens children and youths for appropriate education materials based on the assessment scores, learning abilities and youth's age.
What will the neighbors think?
It is up to you who you share information about participation in the Youth Firesetting Intervention Program with. All documents, information, names and assessment interview materials are kept confidential within the program. Confidential information sharing will only be made with written permission to other needed agencies such as a mental health provider or school counselor.
Is all of this necessary for just being curious?
All fires start small, and often times children and adults alike have a false sense of security thinking they can control fires. This is a common misconception and even small fires can lead to serious injuries or property damage. If validated assessment scores find that a youth is only recommended an educational program on dangers of fires, then that education session will be offered by this program.
This program is available to all children under the age of 18 in Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties. This program charges no fees and is completely voluntary.
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