SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce advanced a measure on Wednesday that would bring more fire prevention education to children across the state.

“With the right education, accidental fires are preventable,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We must provide insight and proper education so children will be knowledgeable about the damage that can come from fires and provide them with the tools to make responsible decisions.”

This legislation would create positions of certified youth firesetter interventionists in the Division of Arson Investigation within the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

These positions would help local authorities in stressing the importance of fire safety. They would conduct firesetter interventions that would work closely with families, schools and other organizations to provide education, support and guidance to children.

”Fire prevention education saves lives,” said Joyce. “By providing targeted intervention and prevention strategies, we can help protect public safety and prevent future incidents of firesetting behavior in our communities.”

Senate Bill 1421 advanced through the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and awaits further consideration before the full Senate.