Approaches to reducing deliberately lit fires

Abstract

Deliberate fire lighting is an international problem that has enormous financial and human costs associated with it. Therefore, effective prevention initiatives need to be identified and disseminated with the aim of reducing this problem. This thesis presents an evaluation of prevention initiatives operating for people who deliberately light fires. It contrasts groups of programmes that offer primarily education and/or therapy interventions operating in Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand's only programme, the Fire Awareness and Intervention Programme (FAIP). In Study One, surveys were conducted with 98 programme directors and staff to describe the key elements of their programmes, and the barriers to programme effectiveness and suggested improvements. Programmes were targeted toward young people and adults who were known to have deliberately lit fires. In Study Two, interviews were conducted with eight adults with at least five arson convictions and who were serving custodial sentences in New Zealand. The purpose of these interviews was to discover from the people who deliberately light fires about how prevention programmes could be more effective. Data analysis was qualitative, utilising both content analysis and thematic analysis. Findings provide the basis for recommendations aimed at improving service delivery and programme effectiveness of FAIP. Key elements of programmes include: fire safety education and home safety assessments, uniformed firefighters, home visits, the involvement of caregivers, establishing rapport, addressing psychosocial issues, collaborating with stakeholders, staff training, and adequate teaching resources. Barriers to programme effectiveness were: lack of service support, limited funding, poor collaboration with stakeholders, no formal cultural supervision, and poor quality assessment tools. Suggested improvements included further training and updating of resources. The adult fire lighters agreed that rapport was important, along with early intervention for fire lighting and associated psychosocial issues, and addressing motivation for fire lighting. Recommendations for FAIP include: develop a brief screening tool, update resources, develop an educational package for caregivers, increasing the follow-up period, ongoing training and peer mentoring, and development of stakeholder relationships.