By Teresa Herriman

The Courier-Herald

The catalyst was a horrific Tacoma fire set by a child in which nine people lost their lives. Out of the tragedy was born an idea; to identify and help children who misuse fire before a major event occurs.

Based on a simple premise - it's easier to prevent a fire than to put one out - Fire Stoppers was created to reduce the number of fire-related injuries, fatalities and property damage caused by children playing with fire.

Joe Meinecke, manager of the Fire Stoppers program of Pierce County, said the Bonney Lake Fire Department was instrumental in making the program a reality in 1991. Joining with the Pierce County fire fighters and the burn services of St. Joseph Medical Center, the city firefighters founded Fire Stoppers, one of the first intervention programs in the state.

The results of the program are easy to measure. Last year, 13 burn injuries were reported as a result of fires set by children in the Bonney Lake area and 23 people were displaced from their homes. Juvenile-set fires caused a total of $167,200 in property damage.

As disturbing as these numbers are, they represent a dramatic improvement. In 1991, the year the program began, the average property loss was $1,008,928. Compared with 2003, there has been a reduction of $841,728 or 83 percent in property damage alone.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue Battallion Chief Barry Barquest has been involved in the program since its inception. He does not mince words when it comes to putting a stop to children playing with fire.

"Put the matches away," he said. "Parents and caregivers need to recognize that matches and lighters are tools, not toys."

Children enter the Fire Stoppers program through referrals. Most of the time the referral comes from a parent or caregiver. Sometimes it comes from the fire department, following an event.

"Usually there's a couple of small incidents before a parent calls," Meinecke said.

The voluntary program is designed for children ages 8 to 18, although the younger children are more likely to benefit from the program.

The five-step intervention model includes identifying at-risk children, a screening assessment to help understand the nature of the behavior and direct the child to the most appropriate education strategy, educating the child and the family using videos and homework assignments, referring the child for additional services and follow-up.

Scare tactics have been found to rarely work. Instead, the program focuses on a family system approach Meinecke said.

At East Pierce, the program is based on the needs of the individual and depends on the level of concern, explained Barquest.

"A lot of times you find out there's dynamics in the family," he said.

He concentrates on teaching consequences.

"We are really very successful with most of the kids," Meinecke added.

Kids are at a higher risk when lighters and other flammable products are readily available, Barquest said. Usually it is only after an event that people become aware of the risk.

For less than $10, he said, adults can buy a lock box for flammables.

"It sounds extreme, but most people simply don't realize this is dangerous," he said.

More often than not, fires that cause the loss of life or property are not intentionally set, Meinecke said. The child's luck simply runs out.

"We can't undo the bad things that happen. The goal is to teach people to respect [fire]," he said.

"That means young kids don't get to use [fire] until they are older; and then it's under supervision," he added.

While the program deals with a diverse group of children, Barquest aims at educating the "common fire setter."

"We tend to focus on the real problem kids, but the average kids cause more property damage than the 'bad” kids," he said.

Who is a firesetter?

Firesetting, a term used to describe the behavior of children who use fire in a dangerous way. Seven out of 10 children set fires out of curiosity. Older children may use fire as a way of expressing their anger or to get attention. Others may start fires as a prank, a dare or to cover up a crime such as vandalism or theft.

Most of the children involved in setting fires don't understand the danger they are causing themselves or others. Older children may not realize they are breaking the law and could go to jail for setting a fire.

Last year the program received more than 140 referrals. Of those, nearly 90 percent of children referred to the program in 2003 were males. The average age last year was 10 years old. Nationally, children referred to firesetter programs are between 8 to 12 years of age.

More than 50 percent of the children in the local program have at least one smoker in the household. More than four out of ten households do not have working smoke detectors.

Lighters are the leading ignition tool used by juvenile firesetters, although matches place a close second. Seventy percent of the referrals report they got the ignition materials from their own home.

What can you do?

Fire Stoppers recommends adults set a good example by being responsible with matches and lighters.

Keep matches and lighters out of the reach and out of sight.

Teach school children to "stop, drop and roll" if their clothing catches fire.

Make sure there are working smoke detectors in the house and practice a family escape plan.

Teach children that a only responsible adult should use fire.

Treat fire with respect. Unlike the movies, real fire is hotter, darker, and faster than most people realize.

Pay attention. Children have a natural curiosity about fire, so keep an eye on them. Before leaving children in the care of adults, be sure to discuss fireplay and safety issues.

Barquest notes, it's important to take the early signs of firesetting seriously. One should call the fire department if a child has played with fire, deliberately set a fire or if someone is unsure how to teach a child about fire safety.

Teresa Herriman can be reached at therriman@courierherald.com.

(Inset: For more information about Fire Stoppers of Pierce County, call 253-594-7912 or East Pierce Fire and Rescue at 253-863-1800.)