Gday...

There are many who display anti-social tendencies toward the general population - assault, theft, dangerous driving ... all of which should be punished. However, arson is one crime against society that has greater ramifications. It needs to be treated very seriously and those who engage in arson should feel, as they say, "the full weight of the law".

As part of our discussion, I offer the following -

What are the main characteristics of the people who usually light these fires?

It varies greatly. It may be someone who is anti-social. One day they might light a fire, the next day they might steal a car. There are also people with a grievance seeking revenge. Sometimes its the need for recognition, such as people with low self-esteem or who are overlooked wanting attention. There are a whole range of reasons.  About 90 per cent are male, about 40 per cent are adolescents and 14 per cent children. 

What is the definition of an arsonist and is there an age at which you can be classified as an arsonist given so many are quite young?

In a legal sense, its an intention to cause a severe outcome by lighting a fire for destructive purposes.

However, when youre talking about young people, it may be just an interest in fire. Normally we dont use it for young people as the reasons for their behaviour are complex and usually dont have an intention to cause massive destruction. But I do categorise some reckless behaviour as arson, for example, when people ignore legislation about using machinery on a very hot day and continue to do so. Theres a whole range of motivations behind why people light fires and often there is an element of intellectual disability involved and people aren't necessarily aware of the consequences. 

Is the best approach to addressing this huge issue to start with education at a school level?

While there are some educational programs run by fire fighters around NSW for youth and children, it still doesn't offer the more intensive services for kids actually displaying a range of problematic behaviour.

As a society we need to be far more aware of the propensity for these bushfires now and the type of measures which can be taken to prevent them.

They may receive a jail sentence or community order but theres nothing being done to change their behaviour. Its only just now that were beginning to very slowly implement services to treat offenders.

Cheers - John

Thanks for the reply JOHN,

This problem with kids lighting fires just to watch it burn is nothing new,

many years ago I had a young Nephew who was lighting small fires all around their home, un-be known to her Parents,

until one night the Mother smelt smoke in the house, going to the daughters room she found a small fire burning on the floor,

when asked why she lit the fire, the daughter could not explain it ,She only said that she was fascinated by the flames.

Maybe there is something hypnotic about fires to some people.

 

K.J. 

As a Firefighter who has dealt with many a fire in our patch over the last 10 years that have been deliberatly lit by an arsonist, I don't know what I would do if I caught him. I say him because I have created a profile of our arsonist in our area and when he is caught it will not surprise me who he is, but will be a shock to others.
I beelive our arsonist has a deep psychological problem brought about by the loss of a loved one in an accident, is a firefighter, knows how to light fires in many different ways, has a knowledge of fire investigation, lights the fires close to where the loss of a loved one occurred. He mainly does it due to his grief that he has not dealt with, and lighting fires helps him deal with his loss.
The problem I have is catching him or proving who it is, and as I said, this is my profile on him.
Pete

jail them all - kids into institutions and all need a shrink to assess if theyre just bad or need medical help - which sould be given.

Arson is just such a serious threat to the population and emergency workers, not to mention our bush, wild life and climate change with the smoke, that we cannot afford to be half hearted with these criminal or mentally disturbed people

Sadly here is another link to look at aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/bfab/bfab016.pdf

As a fire-fighter, I've seen some sights that would frighten any arsonist clean out of their pants,

On one occasion, we were fighting a Bush fire, the Head Fire was approaching us through the heavy fuel under tall trees,

the sound alone was enough to make anyone run for cover,

there was a clearing ( of about 100mt ) with a house sitting in the middle of it,

the Fire came roaring out of the trees and as it hit the clearing the flames formed a gigantic arc going right over the house, missing it completely, the fire then hit the grass on the other side of the house  setting it alight and off it went like a rocket.

We were sitting on 20kph in the Fire Truck, Just keeping pace with the Head Fire, we didn't get ahead of the fire for a couple of km after that, that's one time I wished I had a camera on my helmet, no one would believe what we had seen, really frightening.

 

K.J.

Yes, Dave we would have done that on many different occasions. if we could have caught the little Bast#&@s.

 The question of punishment was raised in the Brigade many times, I thought of one punishment which would teach them not to do it again,

My idea was to fit them with a back pack, fill it to the top with tree plants and take the terrors out into the bush with instructions not to return until they have replanted all the burnt ground, and when they do return, refill the pack and send them back again.

K.J.