(Red Oak, Iowa) The Red Oak Fire Department Fire Prevention Program is pleased to
announce the launch of its new Youth Firesetting Intervention Program. The purpose of the
program is to foster a cohesive partnership among the community, local fire departments
as well as local law enforcement to reduce the number of fire related injuries and deaths by
providing evaluation, education and redirection assistance to youth who exhibit fire setting
behaviors.

The Youth Firesetting Intervention Program is a national program overseen locally by the
State of Iowa. The Youth Firesetting Intervention Program and Juvenile Intervention
Taskforce is a division of the State Fire Marshall’s office.

Using nationally accepted practices the intervention program will interview and evaluate
any youth who are recommended to the program. Referrals can come from a variety of
sources to include the juvenile justice system, mental health counselors, parents and/or
legal guardians, local law enforcement, state certified fire investigators or local fire
department personnel.

The nationally accepted practices would include utilizing the state recommended Juvenile
with Fire screening tool. This tool includes parent and/or guardian interviews and
interviews with the youth. Answers are scored on a scale of 1 to 3 and determine the
recommended course of action. The course of actions typically include intervention
through education. The intervention staff may recommend counseling as well. After the
interview and educational session is complete, the intervention program will follow up with
the family, typically at 30, 60, and 90 days.

The goal is to educate youth who exhibit fire setting behaviors on the dangers of fire to
include loss of life, severe injury and property damage. This program is available at no cost
to the families affected.