Any Bergen County child or young adult up to age 18, who has demonstrated an interest in firesetting behaviors or fire-related behavior, is eligible for services offered through the BCJFPP.
Referrals are received from police or fire personnel, the juvenile justice system, Division of Child Protection & Permanency, family, schools, or other community service providers.
This program also focuses on preventative measures and will provide education sessions to youth targeting safety and awareness.
The BCJFPP serves several points of the continuum:
- Juvenile firesetter intervention and prevention
- Awareness of fire service
- Fire safety education
The parent’s and or guardian’s are encouraged to participate in the intervention programs with their juvenile and to be involved in each component of our comprehensive program.
The History of the Juvenile Fire Prevention Program (BCJFPP)
The Bergen County Juvenile Fire Prevention Program (BCJFPP) program was started in 1987 by local firefighters that saw the need to address juvenile fire play. It is now a two-prong program that operates simultaneously to the same end, reduce the injury and deaths to children from fires that are preventable.
The BCJFPP is recognized by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety and is the only service of its type in Bergen County.
The BCJFPP Philosophy
The Bergen County Juvenile Fire Prevention Program philosophy is that early intervention with children and young adults displaying curiosity and/or engaging in fire setting can be effective in reducing the risk of future fire-setting behavior.
The Programs Objectives:
- Determine the underlying issues that may have led to these behaviors
- Categorize the risk of future firesetting or delinquent behavior using self-report inventories.
- Provide fire safety education to learn the proper use of fires and their associated dangers.
- Facilitate community events to educate families in fire safety awareness
- Provide further treatment as indicated.
Services Offered:
- Assessment
- Fire safety education
- Referrals for further treatment
- Linkage to clinical services and other resources when applicable.
Location and Hours of Operation:
Care Plus NJ- Fair Lawn Mental Health Center
17-07 Romaine St., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am-9:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Contact our Manager at 201-265-8200
Emergency response available 24 hours per day by calling 201-262-HELP.
BCJFPP in the News
BCJFPP was proud to participate in the Multicultural Family Fest at Van Saun Park, Saturday, September 24th.
This weekend was full of family, fun and community. We provided fire safety education and awareness in collaboration with the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute who provided the Fire Safety House.
We want to give a huge shout to all our partners including Bergen County Executive, James Tedeso, the Board of County Commissioners for organizing this incredible event; To Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute who provided the Fire Safety house, Paramus Fire Company 4 and the Borough of Maywood Division of Fire who provided the awesome fire department trucks that everyone enjoyed learning more about and plenty of photo ops!
Donate:
Our program operates on donations, grants and civic groups like the Elks, whose mission supports their community.
The Westwood Elks Lodge 1562 recently donated $500 to support the Bergen County Juvenile Fire Prevention Program.
CarePlus NJ, INC. is dedicated to excellence in mental healthcare and has a commitment to life-long support needed by individuals and their families to ensure that they achieve their full potential and improve the quality of their lives.
