Profiler has tips on detecting potential arsonists
Knowing the profile of an arsonist is the first step in combating illegal incidents that take lives and destroy property. In fact, there exists a pattern of behavior that can help the community at large recognize whether an arsonist attends their school, lives in their neighborhood or even is a member of their fire department. While a recent report developed by the National Volunteer Fire Council addresses firefighter arson, including the patterns of behavior and the impact on fire departments’ reputations, cases are rare. Instead, fire chiefs should keep their eye out for area youths, those seeking revenge and others in their community who may be starting fires for a variety of motives.
To help fire chiefs and the community recognize the motives behind an arsonist, Pamela Kulbarsh, RN, BSW, a psychiatric nurse located in Arizona, offered a profile of those who use fire to do harm. Kulbarsh has been a psychiatric nurse for more than 25 years and has worked in patrol with officers and deputies as a member of San Diego’s Psychiatric Emergency Response Team and at the Pima County Detention Center in Tucson.
Read the entire story from FIRE CHIEF, our sister publication.
