Poughkeepsie… Annually, the United States Fire Administration designates the first full week of May as National Arson Awareness Week. This week, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response recognizes the contributions of its Fire Investigation Division (FID) and its Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Response and Education (J-FIRE) Program. Working in tandem to safeguard our community from the devastation of fires, the FID assists local fire departments and law enforcement agencies with investigating the cause of fires, while the J-FIRE Program focuses on mitigating and reducing the risk of youth fire setting.
Dutchess County Emergency Response Commissioner Dana Smith said, “The members of our Fire Investigation Division help ensure arsonists are held accountable for their actions and the Intervention Specialists of the J-FIRE program work to help intervene, prevent and understand risky fire setting behaviors. This week we recognize these individuals for their contributions to our community and tireless efforts to preserve life and property."
The members of the FID are nationally certified to assist the fire chief on the scene of an incident in determining the cause and origin of a fire or explosion. Additionally, the FID supports the County's fire prevention efforts by identifying accidental causes of fires and potential issues that may lead to product recalls, which helps reduce the risk of future fires through education and risk awareness.
In 2022, the 16 volunteer investigators, five Dutchess County Sheriff's Office investigators including an ignitable liquid residue detection canine team, and a senior district attorney who comprise the division investigated 43 fire incidents, resulting in 697 hours of volunteer investigation hours. Three of the fires investigated in 2022 were classified as "incendiary," or a fire intentionally ignited in an area or under circumstances where and when there should not be a fire.
Youth fire setting behaviors may be attributed to issues such as curiosity or experimentation, underlying struggles with impulse control, emotional regulation, social/interpersonal skills, childhood trauma or other behavioral health conditions.
Emergency Response Deputy Commissioner Shawn Castano said, "Our FID and J-FIRE programs are two critical programs that help ensure Dutchess County communities are safer both before and after a fire. These individuals, many of whom are volunteers, undergo hours of training to maintain their national certification status and ensure they are familiar with the latest investigative techniques and intervention tactics. We are proud to recognize their dedication and service to Dutchess County families and businesses."
Since 2016, the Dutchess County J-FIRE program's Intervention Specialists have assisted families by conducting referral-based behavioral assessments, providing fire safety education, ensuring there are working smoke alarms in the home, and helping develop an escape plan in case of fire. Intervention Specialists are also trained to link families and youth at risk of setting dangerous fires with mental health and other services to address the cause of the behavior instead of punishment.
This August, with support from the District Attorney's office, both new and existing members of the J-FIRE program will complete the recently revised Youth Firesetting Intervention Specialist training. This revised course, administered through the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy has expanded the mental health component of the curriculum to include understanding the motivations behind youth fire setting and how the impact of adverse childhood experiences and behavioral or mental health challenges can influence fire setting behaviors. For additional information or to make a referral to the program call 845-486-3994 or email jfire@dutchessny.gov.
To learn more about the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, visit dutchessny.gov.
