Fires are second only to transportation accidents as the leading cause of death among children. The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal reports that over fifty percent of known incendiary fires investigated by their office are motivated by mischief or vandalism. The majority of these fires are started by young people, often as a result of playing with matches and lighters. This translates into losses of millions of dollars; more devastating is the immeasurable grief and suffering of the children and their families.

The Arson Prevention Program was originally developed as a joint project between the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, The Toronto Fire Department, and the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry. In Norfolk County the TAPP-C program is provided as a partnership between Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. and Norfolk County Fire & Rescue Services.

The TAPP-C Program consists of two parts. The Fire Department provides the fire safety education component. The assessment component is performed by mental health professionals.

Children and their families benefit from this program through an assessment by mental health professionals to determine the necessary treatment required for the child. The Fire Department provides fire safety counselling in support of the identified treatment program.

If you are concerned about your child's fire setting behaviour, please contact Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. Participation in the program is entirely voluntary and all information is strictly confidential.