Adams, Rich. Careless firesetters - negligent arsonists. National Fire & Arson Report. Vol 14 No 2 (June 1996), p 10-13.

Abstract: This article discusses how perception of Americans towards fire, and how those who set negligent fires should be classified as "negligent arsonists" and held accountable for their actions. Comparisons are made to other countries, such as Japan, where fire setters are held strictly accountable for the danger they created for their neighbors and for the rescuers. Since we have such a good system at suppressing fires, the risk of fire is not perceived by the public as a great one.

Efforts, such as those that were launched at reducing drunk driving, could serve as models for a similar effort to reduce the number of negligent fires. If people were more aware of the dangers of fire, not only to themselves, but to their neighbors and to the personnel that have to respond, changes might start to happen. If people realized the toll that fire takes on our American society, perhaps we would see some changes. As Adams says, "When we change the picture of arson in America, we will change America for the better. What you see is what you get."

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