Professional and Program Development

This chapter provides a brief overview of professional resources for practitioners. It encourages practitioner involvement in consolation and research efforts to further improve upon knowledge on juvenile firesetting and results for future clients. The professional development section includes the subject of education and training, encouraging practitioners to make use of new educational material and advances made in the various technologies available to combat the misuse of fire. Practitioners are urged to consider being involved in some form of peer or professional consultation, as well as providing consultation to local programs as an important community resource. Program development is addressed, citing the importance of screening and assessment, intervention services, and evaluation and research.

Education and Training for Clinical Forensic Psychological Work with Juvenile Firesetting and Bomb Making

Juvenile firesetting and bomb making (JFSB) represents an important international issue in several disciplines (e.g., education, law enforcement, fire service, social services, and clinical forensic psychology). An examination of policies, laws, and attitudes revolving around JFSB behaviors, reveals startling knowledge gaps that create significant detrimental impacts on public safety. These same concerns reinforce the primacy of broad general education and training for psychologists in this area. This article reviews critical training factors with respect to JFSB that should be included in the training of all psychologists working with youth, public safety, and community mental health and exposing trainees to interdisciplinary experiences that are vital to provision of clinical forensic services needed in these cases. One section speaks to the educational relevance of developing diagnostic (DSM-5 Quadrant) and culturally responsive intervention skills. Additionally, this article discusses the role of practicums and advanced practicums, through which exposure to the many clinical forensic contours of JFSB cases, function as a proficient training platform. Finally, the article draws conclusions and offers future directions for education and training.