EANNACE ANNOUNCES $20,000 GRANT FOR JUVENILE FIRE-SETTER PROGRAM

Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace Jr. announced a $20,000 grant to the Rome Fire Department today to administer the Oneida County Fire-Setter Program. The program will identify and evaluate individual juvenile fire-setters and provide appropriate counseling to address correcting this behavior.

"We want to identify children who have been involved with starting fires, but we also want to provide assistance, education and an assessment of both the individual child and their family and provide adequate service through referrals," Eannace said.

The Oneida County Juvenile Fire-Setter Program is a result of The Coalition for a Safe Community and their involvement with the Arson Awareness Partnership Strategic Plans. The program is an intervention and educational approach to children in Oneida County who have been involved with fire play and fire setting activity. This program is a community effort, with various agencies such as; fire service, law enforcement, probation, legal, family court, mental health, schools and treatment centers.

"Juvenile fire-setting is not a new phenomenon," said Rome Fire Chief Roger Sabia. "We must not be too quick to label or categorize these individuals. We're lucky to have the commitment and dedication from various community agencies, State, County and local government, along with private sector."

• A toll free number will be established to receive all calls regarding Juvenile Fire-Setting. The phone will be at the 911 center and all calls involving the program will be turned over to Paul Marcellus.
• Juvenile Fire-Setter counselor will then provide assistance to the reporting Fire Department, the child and family involved.
• Assessment of the particular case will be made.
• Follow-up with the child/family and the agency involved.

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