Operation Extinguish (OE) is a FREE program, for Montgomery
County The Chrysalis
Group and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service to provide intervention and educational services for juvenile
fire setters and their families. The program combines psychological evaluation and
intervention and fire safety education in an effort to eliminate this behavior.
REFERRALS TO THE
PROGRAM
Referrals to the OE program originate from a number of
sources:
- State
of Maryland Depart
- Juvenile
Court and attorneys
- Parents
- Schools
- Other
agencies such as hospitals, residential treatment centers and
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
FAMILY INTERVIEW
This structured interview is designed to assess the severity
of the fire setting problem, determine the motive behind the behavior, gather
additional information regarding the child and family’s functioning, and
develop appropriate recomme ndations. To
complete the assessme nt, the evaluator also
may contact relevant outside agencies and the child’s school.
GROUP SESSIONS
All program participants are required to attend three group me etings.
These sessions focus on fire prevention, home
safety, survival strategies, and
burn injuries as well as peer and family discussions exploring such issues as
peer pressure, stress and anger manageme nt,
impulse control, and healthy decision-making. Participants are encouraged to
apply these insights to their fire-related behaviors.
RECOMMENDATIONS
may be made for individual, group, or family counseling.
Contact:
