Community projects, partner schemes and groups

Firesetters intervention scheme

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Firesetter Intervention Programme has been in existence since 1995. Its inception came about after a number of fire service personnel recognised the importance of addressing firesetting behaviour amongst children and young people. The programme has developed over the years from an ‘ad-hoc’ firesetter intervention service to the present format that is now recognised by HFRS as being a ‘core activity’.

The recognised method of reducing fire play among children and young people involves effectively teaching fire safety and early intervention when children play with or deliberately set fires.

Parents and agencies that work with children should be concerned about the problem of fire play because the fire service cannot address that problem alone, they can only address the problem if we all work together. The programme has therefore expanded to assist multi agencies such as: Youth Offending Team (YOT), Youth Inclusion Support Panel (YISP), Police, Mental Health Agencies (CAMHS) and education services at local, national and even international level, to combat the serious problem of firesetting.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is becoming more and more involved in multi agency working partnerships across Hampshire, and as a result we now work in partnership with the probation service attending multi agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) and work with individuals being released back into the community to further help reduce risk in local communities.

At regional level, HFRS is currently involved in a process to develop an effective adult firesetting programme which will eventually become a nationally recognised programme.

If you would like more information view our parent and guardian information on child firesetting behaviour page, or if you think your child is fascinated by fire please contact our Firesetters Intervention Team.