The Northwestern Youth Fire Intervention Response, Education and Safety Partnership (NoFIRES) core mission is to protect our youth, their families and the communities in which they live from the dangerous and sometimes fatal act of setting fires. A collaboration of fire, law enforcement, mental healthcare providers and social service agencies, NoFIRES is committed to providing a consistent, coordinated and appropriate response to youth 18 years old and under, who set fires or engage in fire-related behavior. The components of this approach include intervention, education and prevention, and referrals for clinical treatment and counseling and /or to services agencies.
The NoFIRES Process
How does NoFIRES work?
When there is a fire-related incident involving a youth, the authorities or a parent/guardian may recommend the offender to the NoFIRES program. It is not required that charges be pending for child to participate in the program. NoFIRES is a referral-based program, accepting referrals from the following agencies:
What happens after a referral has been made?
A screening interview of the youth and the youth’s family will be conducted and a determination will follow as to whether the child is an appropriate candidate for the program. If the child is determined to be suitable for the program, a fire safety educational intervention program may be recommended, referrals may also be made to social services agencies and/or for clinical mental health counseling and treatment.
The screening interview
The screening interview is the first step into the program. Once the referral is made, a screener will contact you to schedule an appointment to meet with you and your child at your home. Two screeners, a firefighter or police officer and a mental health professional, who have been trained to conduct screening interviews. The purpose of the screening interview is to become informed about the youth and the fire-related incident as well as the child’s experience with fire. The fire related incident will be discussed and specific questions will be asked about the incident, such as frequency, location, method of ignition, degree of sophistication, whether it is a group or solitary act, damage caused by the fire and the reaction of the youth and significant people in his or her life to the fire. The screener will also ask details about the youth’s development, personality, family dynamics and history, education and medical status. Parents will be interviewed as well with similar questions asked.
Fire Safety School
The NoFIRES Fire Safety School consists of 3-5 individual or small group classes, depending on the program and needs of the child. The program focuses on preventing further fire-related incidents by encouraging the youth to adopt safe and healthy behaviors associated with fire.
There are no fees for services provided by NoFIRES.
When there is a fire-related incident involving a youth, the authorities or a parent/guardian may recommend the offender to the NoFIRES program. It is not required that charges be pending for child to participate in the program. NoFIRES is a referral-based program, accepting referrals from the following agencies:
- State and local police departments
- District Attorneys’ Offices
- Fire departments
- Schools
- Court personnel
- Department of Children and Families & DMH
- Medical & Mental Health Providers
- Other social service agencies
- Parent/Guardian/Foster Parent
What happens after a referral has been made?
A screening interview of the youth and the youth’s family will be conducted and a determination will follow as to whether the child is an appropriate candidate for the program. If the child is determined to be suitable for the program, a fire safety educational intervention program may be recommended, referrals may also be made to social services agencies and/or for clinical mental health counseling and treatment.
The screening interview
The screening interview is the first step into the program. Once the referral is made, a screener will contact you to schedule an appointment to meet with you and your child at your home. Two screeners, a firefighter or police officer and a mental health professional, who have been trained to conduct screening interviews. The purpose of the screening interview is to become informed about the youth and the fire-related incident as well as the child’s experience with fire. The fire related incident will be discussed and specific questions will be asked about the incident, such as frequency, location, method of ignition, degree of sophistication, whether it is a group or solitary act, damage caused by the fire and the reaction of the youth and significant people in his or her life to the fire. The screener will also ask details about the youth’s development, personality, family dynamics and history, education and medical status. Parents will be interviewed as well with similar questions asked.
Fire Safety School
The NoFIRES Fire Safety School consists of 3-5 individual or small group classes, depending on the program and needs of the child. The program focuses on preventing further fire-related incidents by encouraging the youth to adopt safe and healthy behaviors associated with fire.
There are no fees for services provided by NoFIRES.
