Organizations that offer firesetter intervention programs for children and adolescents, some as young as age two or three, who have demonstrated a fascination with fire and who may have set one or more fires accidentally or through curiosity-motivated fire play. Activities generally include an interview with the youngster and his/her parents to determine the motivation for the firesetting behaviour and the severity of the problem; information regarding the appropriate and safe use of fire, child supervision techniques and responsibilities, what to do if a fire occurs and the consequences of setting fires; and a concluding tour of the local fire station. Problem firesetters with deeper problems are referred to the mental health system for counselling or, if malicious criminal intent is involved, are charged with juvenile arson and become the responsibility of the juvenile justice system. Juvenile firesetter intervention programs are often offered by local fire departments in cooperation with police agencies, schools and other community groups.

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Programs that are designed to increase public awareness of the measures that people can take to protect homes, businesses and property from the threat of fire. Fire prevention programs provide information about faulty wiring and other electrical hazards, kitchen fires, smoking risks, child-related fire safety, flammable materials storage, brush clearance, fire retardant building materials and ground cover, techniques for fighting a fire until the fire agency arrives (first aid firefighting) and other similar topics. Included are programs that inspect the homes of individual citizens and give them a report which recommends ways to protect their property as well as those that deal with fire safety in a more general way.

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Programs that establish and implement an overall plan for the development and upkeep of the built environment in urban and rural areas; and ensure that new construction on public and private property as well as improvements in current structures meet building codes and standards, zoning requirements and the goals and objectives of the master plan. Also included are local offices that are responsible for initiating and overseeing public works projects and ensuring the smooth operation of basic infrastructure services. Activities may include construction, maintenance and repair of roads, bridges, tunnels and other public ways; operation of waterworks, sewage and drainage systems; development and maintenance of channels and other public waterways; construction and operation of public parking facilities; lighting and signposting of public streets; management of waste materials; and other similar projects.

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Programs that enforce the responsibility of property owners to clear hazardous weeds or chaparral from their yards and lots by notifying them when weeds and brush have reached hazardous proportions and performing the work themselves when owners fail to comply. Charges for the work are placed on the negligent owner's property tax bill.

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Programs that issue bulletins or otherwise inform the public regarding the current location, severity of conditions and probable path of a brush fire, grass fire, woodland fire or large urban fire that may be a threat to those in the vicinity. Fire advisories may also include safety instructions for people who are in immediate peril.

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