The River Valley Juvenile
Firesetter Intervention Program

The River Valley Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program works in conjunction with other area programs across Massachusetts under the Massachusetts Coalition for Juvenile Firesetter Program. The River Valley Program includes not only Amesbury but also Salisbury, and Newburyport. The staff includes not only the trained Fire Department staff, but in cases where it is necessary also the, DA's Office, Probation Department, DSS, and the Department of Mental Health. The dedicated staff meets once a month to discuss the program, the kids involved, and how to help them.

The program was started to prevent children from being arrested for the wrong reasons. The students are referred to the program by concerned parents, or if they have been arrested for starting a fire. The program recognizes that some fire are set for other reasons than just curiosity, some children have anger management issues, or have been abused. In these cases other state services may become involved with the goal of dropping any charges against the student, and also preventing any future fires. If the program is successfully completed the charges are dropped against the student.

If you are concerned about someone or wish to ask a question feel free to contact us at childfire@amesburyfire.org. The Statewide directory of contact information for the Juvenile Firesetters program can be found here.