Your Child Plays With Matches Or Lighters? Call YFD

The Yakima Fire Department is hoping to help more kids through it's Juvenile Firesetter Program this year. Firefighter and Program Coordinator Jay Elmo says the program is aimed at dousing the dangerous curiosity of young kids who like to play with fire. He says he helps an average of 5 to 15 kids every year. Kids who get involved in the program through a variety of ways. But he tells KIT News. "Most come from concerned parents who catch kids playing with matches or lighters." Elmo says he talks to kids between the ages of 5 and 16-years-old. He wants to find out if it's simple curiosity or something deeper emotionally. He talks about the danger of fire and what can happen criminally if a fire destroys a home or a business. And he talks about how many young kids are injured by playing with fire every year. If you'd like to get your child involved contact the Yakima Fire Department at 575 6060.