Skip Navigation LinksHome > Safety Tips > Fire & Smoke > Juvenile Firesetter

Juvenile Firesetter

If you would like more information, or an appointment with a JFS interventionist, or would like to share information concerning a youth firesetter, please call our Juvenile Firesetter Intake telephone line at 503-356-4708.

History has shown that children and fire are a dangerous and sometimes fatal combination.

TVF&R responds to this community issue by providing services to families who are affected by a youth that has misused fire. Services including education, intervention, and mental health referrals are available to any family who has had past or present firesetting behaviors.

What to Do if your Child is Experimenting with Fire

  1. Keep matches and lighters locked up so children do not have access to them.
  2. Explain the dangers of fire to your child.
  3. Model fire safe behaviors.
  4. Supervise your children when they are around candles, campfires, fireplace fires, barbecues, stoves, etc.
  5. Keep lighter fluid, gasoline, white gas, and propane locked up out of the reach of children.
  6. Take fire experimentation and firesetting seriously. If you do nothing, there is a good chance that the behavior will continue and escalate. Property damage, injury, or loss of life could be a result.
  7. If there is a fire, quickly leave the building and call 9-1-1 from a safe telephone such as a neighbors house.
  8. If your child is experimenting with fire with friends, know who your children's friends are and meet the friend's parents to discuss the fire experimentation.
  9. If your child is experimenting with fire call Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue's Juvenile Firesetter Program at 503-356-4708.
 
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
Command & Business Operations Center
20665 SW Blanton Street
Aloha, Oregon 97007
Tel:  (503) 649-8577 | Fax: (503) 642-4814