Preventing Tragic Consequences of Fires Set by Youth
The Challenge
Children who misuse fire cause nearly 300 deaths, approximately 2,000 injuries, and millions of dollars in lost property each year in the United States. Metropolitan Portland and the Pacific Northwest are no strangers to this problem. While some fire agencies and community organizations are positioned to address youth firesetting behavior, many are not. The lives of children hang in the balance. Young children of preschool age present the greatest risk of all.
The Solution
SOS Fires was founded to reduce the tragic losses from youth-set fires. Through our web site, consultations, community trainings, and general advocacy, SOS Fires has helped promote intervention practices for youth and disseminated cutting-edge information to professionals, parents, and teachers throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the country. Our goal is to ensure every child has a safe tomorrow.
The Outcome
Since its founding ten years ago, SOS Fires' mission has remained constant while the need for our work has increased. Most recently, SOS Fires has begun research to identify common factors in youth firesetting behavior in order to better direct prevention programs. Prevention is the key to defeating the errors that lead children to misuse fire. SOS Fires' research has been funded primarily through federal grants. Innovative partnerships and individual contributions (listed on our website) have also supported a variety of the services we deliver.
The Organization
SOS Fires was created in the wake of the most significant arson spree (over $36 million in property losses) to ever hit the Pacific Northwest. The family of the convicted arsonist hoped to give something back to the community and founded a non-profit organization to do so. Unfortunately, the crisis that spurred the family's ambition also tore at the fabric of the family circumstances, forcing them to abandon the effort. However, the family offered the organization to a group of interested professionals who chose to carry forward the same mission under the name of SOS Fires. Our all-volunteer Board directs projects and programs which have expanded from its original focus on Oregon and Washington to a nationwide focus.
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