The task force was charged with the responsibility of establishing intervention efforts to address the problem associated with juvenile firesetting within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in developing and implementing statewide juvenile firesetter intervention programs.
Task force members were carefully selected based on their knowledge, experience, and interest in the subject and represent the disciplines needed to successfully deal with the problem of child-set fires.
A major accomplishment of the Task Force was the development of a written state standard for juvenile firesetter mitigation and prevention. This standard is entitled "The Pennsylvania Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Protocol" and is the culmination of four years of dedicated work by Task Force members. The Protocol provides the basis for implementing state-wide regional juvenile firesetter intervention programs.
Pennsylvania is one of few states that have a written standard addressing juvenile firesetting activity, prevention and intervention. Some of the material developed in the Pennsylvania Protocol was derived from policy and procedures contained in the others states’ standards as well as from the United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association.
The original task force has transitioned into the Pennsylvania Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Advisory Group, composed of some of the original Task Force members as well as several other state and local agencies and representatives. The JFS Intervention Advisory Group is composed of highly knowledgeable and experienced individuals in the various disciplines who deal with children, youth and adolescents. Pennsylvania’s approach to juvenile firesetting intervention and prevention operates through the JFS Intervention Advisory Group, and is managed by the OSFC Public Education-Information Specialist.
The following professionals and organizations have the dedication and expertise to deal with the impact of youth-set fires:
- Corporal Nolan Brewbaker, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit Supervisor
- Mary Brady-Lookingbill, Adjunct Professor Graduate Social Work West Chester University
- Jessica Banks, Prevention Education Director, Burn Prevention Foundation
- Tracie M. Young-Brungard, Certification Program Manager , PA State Fire Academy
- Bryan Coy, Abraxas
- Ryan Korn, Dauphin County Case Management Unit
Workgroup Members
- George Stapleton, Administrator, PA State Fire Academy
- Ethan Davis, Department of Public Welfare - Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services
- Maureen McCormick, Chester County
- Steve Dobson, Chester County
- Mark Kramer, Bucks County Fire Marshal Division
- Brian Dean, Abraxas
- William Junkin III, Harrisburg Bureau of Fire
- Dahl Krow, Department of Public Welfare - Bureau of Human Services Licensing
- Diane Mercer, Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Prevention Division
- Steven Schneider, Burn Prevention Network
- David Michaels, Chief - York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services
- Jackie Umberger, Chambersburg Fire Department
- Richard Gibbons, Director of EMS - PA Department of Health
- Tom Cook, PA Acting State Fire Commissioner
The Office of the State Fire Commissioner acts as the clearing house for inquiries and requests for assistance related to juvenile firesetter problems and issues throughout the state.
Any resident, professional, agency or organization may contact the OSFC and they will be assisted or referred to an organization or individual who can offer appropriate assistance. The State Intervention Advisory Group is managed by the Public Education – Information Specialist.