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Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention N0629

Training Specialist


Michael Weller
301-447-1476

Delivery type


6-day off-campus

Continuing education units


4.7

ACE recommendation


In the upper-division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in fire science, risk management or social work.

This is a comprehensive 6-day course based on the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 1035, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications.

This course focuses on how identification, intake, screening, disposition and follow-up are used to mitigate youth firesetting behavior. Course content includes understanding the motivations behind youth firesetting and how the impact of adverse childhood experiences and behavioral/mental health challenges can influence firesetting behaviors. Practical experience interviewing at-risk youth and developing case narrative is included.

Students evaluate the existing state of their youth firesetting program, develop a vision for moving forward, construct an action plan, and deliver a persuasive speech to decision-makers for advancing the program.

Students representing the fire service are encouraged to partner with other agencies for this training. Partners can include but are not limited to fire investigators, law enforcement, mental health, social services, juvenile justice or other stakeholders who can assist in building and maintaining programs in their communities.

Pre-course materials and course syllabus

Precourse Assignment, Welcome Letter, Instructions to Download Student Manual: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/ax/pcm/pcm_n0629.pdf PDF 6,676KB
Course Syllabus: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/ax/syll/syllabus_n0629.pdf PDF 353KB

Individuals must have or will have responsibilities related to the investigation and prevention/intervention of youth firesetting incidents at the local, state or national level. Students may include firefighters, public education specialists, fire investigators, public and mental health officials, hospital and university staff, juvenile justice and social services, law enforcement, and school officials.

Priority will be given to 2 or more members of a jurisdiction applying together who have or will have responsibilities related to youth firesetting prevention and intervention. One of the members must be from the fire service. The other applicant may be from the fire service, law enforcement, mental health, social services, juvenile justice, schools, hospitals, universities or other agencies involved in youth firesetting prevention and intervention.

Incident Command System (ICS)-100-level and ICS-200-level training. Preferred courses are Q0462 and Q0463, available through NFA Online.  Chief’s signature attests that the applicant has completed this required training.

NOTE: There is an extensive, graded pre-course assignment that prepares students for engaging in the subject matter and working with firesetting youth.

Upcoming offerings

Email or call the official under Contact(s) if you are interested in attending a course.
Dates Availability Location Contact(s) CCP
April 29, 2024 - May 4, 2024 Cancelled Winston-Salem, North Carolina
David Morris
Certification Specialist
Office of State Fire Marshal
919-348-3656
david.morris@ncdoi.gov
Monna Gillespie
Administrative Officer I
Office of State Fire Marshal
919-647-0088
monna.gillespie@ncdoi.gov
Jason Councilman
Deputy Fire Marshal
Winston-Salem Fire Department
336-403-5937
jasonc@cityofws.org
CCP
April 29, 2024 - May 4, 2024 King, North Carolina
David Morris
Certification Specialist
Office of State Fire Marshal
919-348-3656
david.morris@ncdoi.gov
Monna Gillespie
Administrative Officer I
Office of State Fire Marshal
919-647-0088
monna.gillespie@ncdoi.gov
Jason Councilman
Deputy Fire Marshal
Winston-Salem Fire Department
336-403-5937
jasonc@cityofwsfire.org
CCP
May 6 - 11, 2024 Manheim, Pennsylvania
David Smyth
Assistant Administrator
PA State Fire Academy
717-247-3754
dsmyth@pa.gov
Ken Weber
Fire Training Coordinator
Lancaster County
717-537-4194
kweber@lancastercountypa.gov
CCP
July 7 - 12, 2024 Santa Rosa, California
Kirsten Fonseca
Staff Services Analyst
CAL FIRE, State Fire Training
916-568-2902
kirsten.fonseca@fire.ca.gov
Chris Fowler
DSFM Supervisor
CAL FIRE, State Fire Training
916-568-2901
chris.fowler@fire.ca.gov
Devon Gambonini
Fire Inspector
Santa Rosa Fire Department
707-543-3546
dgambonini@srcity.org
CCP
September 16 - 21, 2024 Los Angeles, California
Chris Fowler
Deputy state Fire Marshal
CAL FIRE
915-508-4120
chris.fowler@fire.ca.gov
Cynthia Sato
Arson Investigator
Los Angeles Fire Department
213-503-1218
cynthia.sato@lacity.org
CCP