Is there a juvenile firesetting problem?

The answer is, most definitely. In Connecticut, as in the nation, a majority of the people arrested for arson are under the age of 18. The most recent figures show that in Connecticut, juvenile firesetters accounted for 60.6% of all arson apprehensions. That is quite a figure considering the amount of fires in which no suspect is identified or in which the cause is classified as undetermined. The answer is, most definitely. Chances are that the brush fire along the footpath after school was the result of child play. Not every fire must be major to cause concern.

Lt. Sokolowski looks at what's left after a garage fire
that melted the siding on the house - 2007

What is the Firehawk Companion Program?

Due to the alarming national statistics, the Firehawk Companion Program was developed in San Francisco in the early 1970"s and brought to Connecticut in 1984. Firehawk provides a systematic and unified approach to dealing with the complexities of juvenile firesetting by companions that are trained and experienced in dealing with this type of behavior.

The program consists of four parts, not all of which are used in all cases:

ASSESSMENT – In each case, the companion assesses the firesetter. The firesetting behavior is examined and classified into one of the four behavior patterns (Curiosity, Crisis, Delinquent or Problem). This is done through conversations with the child’s parents, the child and analysis of the nature of the fire. Once the behavior is classified, the Firehawk companion will map a strategy for working with the child, family and health care professionals.