For more information on the juvenile firesetter program, to schedule a presentation for your organization, or to refer a child to the program call the Reading Fire Department at 733-5537 and ask for Lieutenant Randy Fischesser. Juvenile firesetters range in age from 4 to 16 years old. Most young firesetters are male, but a growing number are female. Firesetting crosses all socio-economic backgrounds. The first fire is usually set between ages 3 and 7 and happen at or near the home.
Some children use fire to express feelings such as anger and frustration.
Firesetting can be a symptom of a problem - not the problem itself. A child who becomes actively involved with firesetting usually will not stop on his or her own. The Reading Fire Department's Juvenile Firesetter Program is one of the longest running programs in Hamilton County. Established in 1988, over 70 local children have gone through the program. In addition, there has been over 40 children referred to Reading's program from other communities.