The SAFETY Program

Services Aimed at Fire Education and Treatment for Youth

 

Director  David J. Kolko, PhD

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Each year, children are responsible for many of the fires that are set in this country. These fires cause millions of dollars in damages, thousands of injuries, and hundreds of child deaths. Juveniles account for more than half of all arrests for arson in the U.S. Children are responsible for more than one-third of all fires set in Pittsburgh. Our own studies show that 4 out of 10 firesetting children may be expected to set another fire within a one-year period.

There are many reasons why children play with or use fire. The reasons include:

• being curious about or attracted to fire

• having limited knowledge about the dangers and impact of fire

• looking for help or attention

• wanting to feel powerful

• expressing anger or a desire to change an unpleasant situation

The SAFETY Program at UPMC offers educational and treatment services for children and adolescents involved with fire or firesetting.  This service extends more than 25 years of research, supported in part by the National Institute of Mental Health, to evaluate the characteristics, course, history, and treatment of child firesetting.

This service is available for children and teens who have shown a strong interest in or preoccupation with fire, played with matches, burned property or set a fire, or used incendiary materials or explosives. The program also provides treatment necessary to help with other problems of the youth and the family.

In the course of our services, we monitor each child’s progress and offer feedback to families on a regular basis.

The program is designed to:

• evaluate the needs of each child or adolescent

• provide training in fire safety and/or psychological/behavioral skills, as needed

• help parents and families cope with the aftermath of a fire

• minimize the risk of future firesetting

Our Evaluation

We conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the child and family to determine the type and intensity of services most likely to be helpful. The evaluation may include:

• a specialized fire history and interview

• clinical/diagnostic evaluation

• collection of parent and teacher rating scales

• administration of other forms to evaluate a child's competencies and vulnerabilities

Our Services for Children and Families

Services are delivered in our clinic as needed. A family may receive any of these services:

• fire safety education

• individual child therapy/skills training

• parent training/counseling

• family therapy

• home, school, and community services

• consultation and referral

• recommendations to involve othere therapeutic services

Our Training/Consultation Services

We are committed to the development and implementation of educational/training programs to other practitioners or agencies.  An individualized program can be designed to enhance specific competencies and/or develop the organizational capacity to provide clinical services.

• practitioner training in core assessment and treatment skills

• consultation in program development/evaluation, proposal writing, and research development

Contact Information

For more information about other counseling services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, call 412-624-1000.

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