Firesetters Protocol

Germaine Lawrence is the only program in New England that offers firesetting treatment specially designed for girls. While conventional wisdom suggests that girls do not set fires, the facts speak differently. The number of female firesetters is increasing and they are in need of specialized intervention. We provide gender specific treatment to ensure development and emotional success for all of our students.

Female Firesetters are Different Than Male Firesetters

Our experience has shown that girls with firesetting behavior exhibit different symptoms than those primarily seen in male adolescent firesetters. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Coalition for Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Programs, we developed a multi-stage cognitive-behavioral firesetting protocol designed for adolescent girls that leads to a successful transition to a less restrictive setting.

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An Effective Protocol

Our protocols incorporate:
A comprehensive firesetting assessment to set the framework for understanding why the child set a fire. Our trained clinicians interview the student, parents and others involved about the firesetting incident.

Fire safety and fire science. Students complete a fire safety group co-led by the Arlington Fire Department, covering fire science, fire safety, fire survival and fire service.

Behavior stabilization. Each gril is assigned a masters-level clinician who facilitates individual, group and family therapies. Our clinicians help each student address feelings that have led to her behavior and encourage her to take responsibility for her actions.

Social skills development. We help students improve coping skills, anger management skills, problem solving skills and communication skills.

Restitution. We prepare students to make amends to the people they harmed or placed at risk. The girls write an apology letter and whenever possible have a face-to-face meeting with their victims.

Relapse prevention. After girls have completed their firesetting treatment, they learn and practice safe uses of fire. Each student develops a prevention plan to avoid future setbacks.

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A Secure Setting

Upon admission, girls on the firesetting protocol are prohibited from smoking or having access to ignition materials, and the kitchen is locked at all times. There is a no smoking policy for students and staff, and students have motion detectors in their bedrooms at night. Students are not allowed to wear, draw or showcase any material or clothing related to fire.

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Support from Peers

Peers in the firesetting protocol hold each other accountable. Once a student completes a treatment task in individual therapy, she must present her work to her firesetter treatment group. Peers in the treatment group offer feedback and provide suggestions to one another.

For example, girls in the firesetting intervention group must attain group approval to earn kitchen privileges. Once approved, the student must then present it to her family and referral source for approval. Only then is the task considered complete and approved.

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