14th Annual

New Jersey Youth Firesetter Intervention Conference

Fusing the Legal and Social Issues of Youth Firesetting

For Fire Service, Mental Health, Law Enforcement, Social Services and Educational Professionals

December 1-2, 2016Middlesex County Fire Academy

Presented by: New Jersey Division of Fire Safety & Kean University

In association with NJ Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators

MISSION

Our Goal is to bring together State and County resources in the common goal of addressing the issue of youth fire setting throughout the state. We also aim to provide existing county youth fire prevention programs the support necessary to continue their vital mission and make every effort to aid in the development of programs in the counties where none exist.

NJDFS Acting Director William Kramer and 2015 Keynote Speaker Don Porth

AGENDA

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Conference Registration & Breakfast

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Welcome Address

Amphitheater William Kramer, Acting Director

New Jersey Division of Fire Safety

Keynote Address

Jeffrey Cartwright &

Delizia (Dee) Pannullo

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM Afternoon Classes in Session

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Breakfast

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Morning Classes in Session

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Afternoon Classes in Session

14th Annual

New Jersey Youth Firesetter Intervention Conference

2016 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Complete the registration form below indicating the sessions you wish to attend.Final course assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

The conference fee is $100.00 which includes breakfast, lunch, and break refreshments in the morning and afternoon each day.

Payments shall be made payable to Kean University and returned with completed registration form to: Kean UniversityFire Safety Training Program1000 Morris Avenue, L145Union, NJ 07083

All payments must be received as check no later than November 22, 2016. Please note that payment arrangements must be complete prior to start of the conference or attendee will be denied admission.

For more information, contact Charles Lavin, Youth Firesetter Program Manager, at (609) 633-9722 or email at Charles.Lavin@dca.nj.gov

PLEASE WRITE LEGIBLY

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State _______ Zip _________________

Telephone _________________________________

E-mail (for confirmation of acceptance) _________________________________________

NJ Division of Fire Safety ID Number ___________________________________________

COURSE PREFERENCES: (circle corresponding number)

Thursday PM First Choice: 1 2 3 Second Choice: 1 2 3

Friday AM Friday PMFirst Choice: 4 5 6 First Choice: 7 8 9Second Choice: 4 5 6 Second Choice: 7 8 9

THURSDAY 1:00 pm - 3:30 pmDECEMBER 1

Incorporating Community Risk Reduction Strategies Into YFP&I Family Fire Safety Education ProgramsInstructors: Joseph Ehrhardt & Helge Nordtveit

This course shall allow the student to explore how the components and dynamics of Community Risk Reduction might be applied to family fire safety education programs utilized in response to the dangerous or inappropriate use of fire or fire setting by youth. This extension follows a logical progression into comprehensive community risk reduction programs to prevent fire and identified risks.

Topics to be discussed shall include:• Demographic considerations and resources• Cultural awareness, considerations and resources• Incorporating the 5 E’s of fire prevention into your program• Understanding human behavior around fire safety: “Risk Sequencing”• Understanding social change and norms in your community• Developing buy in: institutional, organizational & community• Strategies to create a culture of safety in youth, families and communities• Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention• Fire Prevention: resources, allies, and hurdles.

What We Know About Youth FiresettingInstructor: Detective Lt. Paul Zipper

The presentation will provide a brief summary of statistics, the motivations for youth firesetting, suggested non-traditional court involved intervention methods, and include real case examples. Students are encouraged to participate in an interactive dialogue and provide their own case examples.

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Social-communicative and Behavioral Characteristics of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Impact on Assessments, Counseling, and InterventionsInstructor: Adrienne Robertiello

Currently, approximately 2.5 percent of New Jersey residents age 21 and younger are diagnosed with autism. This multimedia presentation and interactive discussion will focus on the social-communicative and behavioral challenges related to this disorder and the potential risk of firesetting. As autism is a spectrum disorder with no universal firesetting prevention and intervention methodologies, students will actively participate in discussion about factors affecting methods of identification, intake, screening, and counseling as well as adaptive approaches in these processes. Discussion will include education, mental health, and juvenile justice interventions for this population. Emphasis will be made on the need for ongoing education of criminal justice and human service professionals, attorneys, youth, service providers, educators, and the general community. The presenter will highlight partnerships with support agencies, organizations, schools, and families to develop effective firesetter prevention and response strategies.

THURSDAY 1:00 pm - 3:30 pmDECEMBER 1

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Restorative Justice as a Component of Youth Firesetter InterventionInstructor: Paul Schwartzman

This presentation will describe the process of restorative Justice and how this activity integrates into a YFS Intervention protocol. The presentation will define restorative justice and review its basic principles. The presentation will further emphasize the establishment of accountability and the opportunity for healing the youth, the family, the victim and the community. Case examples will be presented.

Juvenile Firesetters and ADHD: Implications for InterventionsInstructor: Dr. Linda Nishi-Strattner

Juvenile Firesetters have a high incidence of ADHD, which impacts their firesetting behavior, their response to the investigation process, and their participation in the juvenile justice and mental health interventions. Participants will learn about the cross-over between the populations of Juvenile Firesetters and ADHD, and about the special considerations that will help to maximize our efforts to help these youth. Some of the legal challenges presented by youths with ADHD will be discussed. This workshop should be appropriate for mental health, social service, fire service, and juvenile justice.

Human TraffickingInstructors: Kim Maloney & Jim Halfpenny

As victims typically do not self-identify, The Attorney General’s Office and Department of Children and Families have been trained on how to better identify and treat the possible victims of Human Trafficking. Current laws on the National and State levels will be discussed. Attendees will learn: who are the traffickers, what makes youth vulnerable and how are they lured into trafficking, the warning signs and other indicators that help first responders identify youth possibly involved with HT. In addition, resources will be provided.

FRIDAY 9:30 am - 12:00 pmDECEMBER 2

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YFIRES – As System UnfoldsInstructor: Don Porth

This course will share YFIRES (Youth Firesetting Information, Repository, and Evaluation System). This data system is designed to collect information on youth firesetting cases coming to the attention of any professional discipline working with firesetting behaviors. It collects a standardized national data set to benefit programs both locally and an understanding of youth firesetting behavior nationally.

While 2015 unveiled YFIRES to professionals, this offering updates participants on how it is working, what it offers to working programs, and the kind of reporting expectations it presents. This presentation will also share coalition building implications resulting from program involvement. Current users can also ask questions and receive support of their use.

Gangs 101: Fatal ChoicesInstructor: Lt. Edwin Torres (Ret.)

Gang membership is increasing at an alarming rate, and so is the violence and illegal activity associated with it. Gangs are no longer limited to urban areas. They are flourishing in neighborhoods all over New Jersey. Their activity - often criminal and extremely violent - also leaves a wake of innocent victims. Gangs are no longer just an inner-city phenomenon. They have become a major problem that must be recognized in the cities and suburbs alike. Lt. Torres will provide an up-close and personal look at the gangs actively recruiting our children and provide the tools necessary to identify the colors, symbols, etc. associated with gang membership.

This course will be a dynamic lecture and multimedia presentation using power point. Participants will also receive training aids in the form of handouts and provided with internet resources. PDF of the power point is included. (The PDF is a guide the information contained is subject to change)

The goal of this instruction will be to familiarize the attendee with gang identifiers, signs and symbols and give the attendee insight on the gang culture and psychology, nationally and specifically to New Jersey.

FRIDAY 1:00 pm - 3:30 pmDECEMBER 2

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Youth Firesetting Prevention & Intervention (YFPI)Instructor: Kathi Osmonson

Kids and fire: Curiosity is normal; setting fires is not. The power of fire is a mystery to most people. With their first birthday candle we introduce children to the world of fire, and the misconception that small fires are easily controlled. All fires start small and are often deadly.

Fire is used inappropriately in advertising, movies and television programming as well as by kids on YouTube. Children have escalating access to these media which in part contribute to the higher than you might think incidence of youth setting fires.

Arson is the fourth leading cause of fire in Minnesota. In 2015 alone, intentionally set fires caused nearly $6 million in damages. (Fire in Minnesota 2014) Consistently, nearly half of Minnesota arson arrests are kids under 18-years-old. (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Justice)

Legal Aspects of Mental Health Intervention Requirements:• Summarize the local and national trends in youth firesetting• Identify major mental health issues in youth firesetting• Learn how to file a CHIPS petition• Understand how mental health professionals can assist in youth firesetting intervention

FRIDAY 1:00 pm - 3:30 pmDECEMBER 2

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Via Route 9 / Route 35 Northbound: Come up through South Amboy into Sayreville. Do not go over the bridge. Take the exit on to the Route 9/Route 35 circle. The sign for the exit reads North 35. The ramp is just after a large sign marked Colosseum (sic). At the bottom of the ramp merge right into the circle, then move quickly to the left lane to go around the circle. Bear left going around the circle, passing the Amboy Cinemas. After going under Route 9, merge to the right and take the first right turn-off, on to Chevalier Drive, just past the Sayreville Motor Lodge (Note: Chevalier Drive street sign may be missing, look for signs for Garden State Parkway “South”). After 1/4 mile (just past the Parkway entrance) turn left on to Main Street (large church at corner). After 3/4 mile take the exit for Kennedy Drive. At the bottom of the ramp turn right into the Academy.

Traveling from Perth Amboy on Route 35 Southbound: Take Route 35 south, crossing the Victory Bridge, and passing the back of Amboy Cinemas. Follow the Route 9/Route 35 circle under Route 9. After going under Route 9, merge to the right and take the first right turn-off, on to Chevalier Drive, just past the Sayreville Motor Lodge (Note: Chevalier Drive street sign may be missing, look for signs for Garden State Parkway “South”). After 1/4 mile (just past the Parkway entrance) turn left on to Main Street (large church at corner). After 3/4 mile take the exit for Kennedy Drive. At the bottom of the ramp turn right into the Academy.

Via East Brunswick / South River via Route 535: Route 535 is Cranbury Road in East Brunswick. It becomes Main Street in South River. Travel North on Route 535 through South River and over the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge, stay in left lane. At the light after the bridge go straight on to Washington Road. At the next light, (this will be the second traffic light after crossing the bridge) turn left on to Main Street. Proceed to the fourth traffic light (approx. 5 miles) and make a left into the Fire Academy.

Via the Garden State Parkway Northbound: Take Exit 125 (just after the Raritan tolls and before the bridge). At the bottom of the ramp turn left on to Chevalier Drive, then make the first left on to Main Street (large church at corner). After 3/4 mile take the exit for Kennedy Drive. At the bottom of the ramp turn right into the Academy.

DIRECTIONSMIDDLESEX COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY1001 Fire Academy Drive, Sayreville, NJ 08872 732-727-0008

Via the Garden State Parkway Southbound: Take Exit 124 (just after the Raritan tolls). At the bottom of the ramp turn right on to Main Street and after a few hundred feet make the first right on to Kennedy Drive. Stay on Kennedy Drive for 3/4 of a mile, through the traffic light, and straight into the Fire Academy.

Via Route 9 Southbound: Take Route 9 south from Woodbridge over the Raritan River. Take the first exit (marked South Amboy Business Center). At the bottom of the ramp take the first right turn on to Chevalier Drive just past the Sayreville Motor Lodge (Note: Chevalier Drive street sign may be missing, look for signs for Garden State Parkway “South”). After 1/4 mile (just past the Parkway entrance) turn left on to Main Street (large church at corner). After 3/4 mile take the exit for Kennedy Drive. At the bottom of the ramp turn right into the Academy.

From the New Jersey Turnpike North or South: Take Turnpike Exit 11 for the Garden State Parkway (GSP). After the tolls, bear left and on to the Garden State Parkway (GSP) traveling south. From the GSP take Exit 124 (just after the Raritan tolls). At the bottom of the ramp turn right on to Main Street and after a few hundred feet make the first right on to Kennedy Drive. Stay on Kennedy Drive for 3/4 of a mile, through the traffic light, and straight into the Fire Academy.

Sheraton Edison HotelRaritan Center

125 Raritan Center Parkway Edison, NJ 08837

Overnight accommodations will be available at the Sheraton Edison Hotel – Raritan Center at a special rate of $118.00 per night, plus tax. There will also be a free shuttle provided to and from the Conference each day (please RSVP to the shuttle the day prior). Overnight rooms should be reserved no later than November 6, 2015. All reservations made after this date will be based on availability and at the standard room rate. For reservations call 732-225-8300. Please state that you are attending the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Conference to qualify for the rate.

Also, for your convenience, a link has been set up specifically to book rooms for the Conference at https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/YouthFiresetterConf2016

ACCOMMODATIONSSHERATON EDISON HOTEL125 Raritan Center Parkway Edison, NJ 08837

Jeffrey Cartwright

Jeff Cartwright retired in 2013 after serving over 27 years as an Assistant Prosecutor in Essex County. For the last15 years of his tenure, he was the Director of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Arson Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional unit responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all fire- and explosion-related incidents in the county. Jeff has received extensive training in fire investigation, and holds NAFI certifications as a Fire and Explosion Investigator and as a Fire Investigation Instructor, as well as New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Fire Inspector and Fire Official certifications. Jeff has been a long serving instructor for Kean University’s Fire Safety Training Program, the International Association of Arson Investigators and the Division of Criminal Justice Academy. He is now happily retired in Richmond, Virginia.

Joseph Ehrhardt

Joe Ehrhardt is a Life Member of the Nottingham Volunteer Fire Company in Mercer County, New Jersey, with over thirty-five years of volunteer service. He currently serves Hamilton Township Fire District #7 as its Fire and Life Safety Educator, Level 1 and coordinates the Township’s Youth Fire Setter Prevention and Intervention Program. Joe is also the Past Co-Chair of the Middlesex County FireWatch Program and a member of the N.J. Youth Fire Setter Advisory Council.

In 2010, Joe retired from a thirty-three year career in Juvenile Justice Administration at the Middlesex County Department of Corrections and Youth Services. In 2015, Joe was certified as an independent Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) auditor by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

During his Juvenile Justice career, Joe was an adjunct Criminal Justice instructor at both Rutgers University and at Middlesex County College.

In retirement, Joe has been a six year instructor for the N.J. Division of Fire Safety through Kean University’s Fire Safety Training Program. In May, 2016, Joe was selected to be a contract instructor for the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland to teach the Youth Fire Setter Prevention and Intervention curriculum.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIESJim Halfpenny, MA

Jim Halfpenny is the Director of Youth Services in Atlantic County Division of Intergen-erational Services, Department of Human Services. He has been serving youth and families in Atlantic County for 33 years. In his current position, he is responsible for the supervision of the County Family Crisis Intervention Unit, the TRY-IT Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program and the Shelter of Hope contract.

He has bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Environmental Studies from The Richard Stockton College and a master’s degree in Psychology from Rowan University. He has also earned Family Therapy Certification from the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. He is a 1999 recipient of a Child Assault Prevention (CAP) award, and a standing mem-ber of the County Youth Services Commission and the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative Core group. He is currently also serving as the cochairmen of the Anti-Traffick-ing Taskforce of Atlantic County (ATTAC). He is a trained and certified CSEC commu-nity intervention trainer. He has provided anti human trafficking workshops at National and State conferences and dozens of professional and community groups.

Kim Maloney

Kim Maloney is the Liaison to Juvenile Justice for Children’s System of Care, Depart-ment of Children and Families. Kim started her career with the State in 1986 as a caseworker (investigator) within Division of Youth and Family Services (now known as Division of Protection and Permanency). She served as the Court Liaison, Adolescent Supervisor and County Service Specialist prior to transferring to Children’s System of Care in 2007. Now a supervisor in the Specialized Residential Treatment Unit (SRTU) at CSOC, Kim assisted in developing several protocols to help increase communication and collaboration with all system partners, including the Juvenile Court. She is a mem-ber of the NJ Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement, and sits on several subcommittees. Kim is the Human Trafficking Liaison for CSOC and a member of the DCF Human Trafficking Task Force. She has provided trainings on DCF’s work with HT youth at the local, state and national levels.

Dr. Linda Nishi-Strattner

Dr. Nishi-Strattner is a board certified clinical psychologist who has practiced in the Portland and Tigard area for the past 32 years, providing inpatient and outpatient psychological services including psychotherapy, psychological and neuropsychological evaluations, consultations, program design, research, and teaching. She served as a commissioner for the Oregon Commission for Children and Families from 1995 to 2001 and as a consultant creating programs for close custody youth for the Oregon Youth Authority from 2005 to 2010. She also served on the Oregon State Fire Marshal Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Task Force from 1989 to 1996, helping to design and implement statewide programs to address the problem of juvenile firesetting. She is currently serving as a board member of the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners. Dr. Nishi-Strattner served as an adjunct professor in the Lewis & Clark College Counseling Graduate program from 1987 to 2002, and she has been an invited speaker both nationally and internationally on topics including ADHD, child abuse, teens and social media, and juvenile firesetting. Dr. Nishi-Strattner has also volunteered as a disaster mental health technician with the American Red Cross, responding to national tragedies including the Oklahoma bombing, the 911 New York terrorist attack, and hurricane and flood relief efforts nationwide.

Helge (Hagar) Nordtveit

Helge Nordtveit has served in the fire service in New Jersey for over forty years; both as a volunteer and in the career service. He has served as a volunteer Chief in the 1980’s and in 2013, he retired as a career Fire Captain.

Helge is currently the Fire Marshal/Fire Official of Woodbridge Township Fire District #11 in central New Jersey. He is a licensed construction official and a New Jersey Certified Fire Instructor Level 2.

Helge is an instructor for the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety through Kean University and is a contract instructor for the National Fire Academy. Active in youth fire setter intervention for over 25 years, he is the Past Co-Chair of the Middlesex County FireWatch Program and is a member of the New Jersey State Youth Fire Setter Advisory Council.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIESKathi Osmonson

Deputy State Fire Marshal Kathi Osmonson Coordinates the Minnesota State Youth Fire Intervention Team (YFIT). YFIT partners with law enforcement, mental health, justice and social agencies to sustain a network of professionals who collaborate to provide intervention.

Her career includes volunteer and career firefighting with specialties in fire prevention education and youth firesetting intervention. She is a member of the NFPA 1035 Committee and the Minnesota Juvenile Justice Coalition (JJC), she is an adjunct instructor for the FEMA National Fire Academy, stakeholder in the Youth Fire Intervention Repository and Evaluation System (YFIRES), publishes and reviews peer reviewed articles for national and international scholarly journals and presents at national and international conferences. Osmonson developed the YFPI Specialist and Program Manager Certifications through the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Forensic Mental Health.

Delizia (Dee) Pannullo

Dee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and a Diplomate in the National Organization of Forensic Social Workers.

While employed in 1990 at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, she began to ask children and adolescents being seen at the CMHC whether they were, or had ever been, involved in setting fires. Due to the significant number of positive responses, Dee began to network with state and county fire service, law enforcement, mental health clinicians and with child protection agencies to alert them of the problem, to help identify fire-setters, and to engage them in developing offender-specific remedies to reduce and prevent the loss of life and property.

Dee has conducted trainings for mental health clinicians on the topic of, “Assessment and Treatment of Juvenile Fire-setters and their Families” since 1998. Recipients have included the Department of Youth Services at Middlesex County and Somerset County; the Family Preservation Institute at Rutgers State University; the Department of Human Services at Morris County; St Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, and Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston.

In addition, over the past twenty-five years, Dee has presented workshops the topic of, “Juvenile Fire-setting”. These teachings occurred at Union County and Middlesex County FireWatch Conferences; Criminal Justice Academy at Fort Dix; International

Conference on Juvenile Fire-setters, at numerous State Fire-setter Intervention Conferences, as well as at the Correctional Facilities at Skillman and in the Pinelands.

Dee works with children, adolescents and adults on a variety of issues in a private practice setting in Belleville, NJ close to where she first identified the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the growing problem of juvenile fire-setters.

Don Porth

Don Porth has been a member of the fire service since 1980. He began his career as a student firefighter with Happy Valley RFPD (Oregon) and continued with the department as a volunteer for three years. In 1983, Don became a Firefighter/EMT with the Salem (Oregon) Fire Department. In 1984, Don went to work for Portland (Oregon) Fire & Rescue, serving his first 6 years as a firefighter/EMT and working as a hazardous materials specialist. In 1988, Don began working with the youth firesetting intervention program and was assigned to manage the program in 1990 when he was promoted to Fire Inspector and assigned to the Public Education Office. In 1996, Don was promoted to supervise the Public Education Office, overseeing all public outreach activities. In 2004, Don was reassigned to a specialist position in Public Education to focus on the development of the Safety Learning Center & Fire Museum, a project he completed in 2008. Don was re-assigned to his supervisory position in Public Education in 2010 where he remained until his retirement from Portland Fire & Rescue in July 2011.

Don now works as a consultant and practitioner providing fire and life safety education to his community, the state, and the nation. Since 2011, he has served on the Executive Committee of a development team for a national youth firesetting database called “YFIRES,” a project of the International Association of Fire Fighters. He provides consultation and support services for the development of safety learning centers/fire museums. He is also working in a support role for Vision 20/20, the national fire prevention initiative. Don has served as President of “SOS FIRES: Youth Intervention Programs” since the non-profit’s inception in 1996.

Outside of work, Don spends time with his family and friends at his home or camping around the Pacific Northwest. Don has been married to his wife Beth since 1984 and has two adult sons, now married and employed, one as a design engineer and the other a police officer.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES

Adrienne Robertiello

Adrienne Robertiello is a strong advocate for building community awareness and inclusion of people living with autism spectrum disorder. Ms. Robertiello works to educate and provide practical strategies to enhance function and quality of life, increase safety, and improve the effectiveness of community services. Through generous funding from Kohl’s Cares, she has developed and implemented several community education initiatives including Autism and Safety - It’s Unpredictable, The Community Hub, and Real Life Tips for Kids with Autism. As part of these and other programs Ms. Robertiello collaborates with community officials, health professionals, emergency response teams, law enforcement, educators and administrators, businesses, faith-based communities, and other community service providers, agencies, and organizations. She is also a parent of a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Paul Schwartzman, M.S., L.M.H.C., D.A.P.A.

Paul Schwartzman is a licensed mental health counselor, providing counseling services to children, adolescents and families in the Rochester (NY) area for more than thirty years. His interest in the field of juvenile firesetting developed while on staff at the University of Rochester where he participated with other researchers in the study of juvenile fire play and fire setting. Paul was a member of the original research team that originated the Fire Related Youth Unit for the City of Rochester (NY) Fire Department and the BIC preschool firesafety education curriculum, both award winning programs that address issues of children and fire.

Paul has co-authored books and produced several research articles for professional journals and has written a chapter on treatment of juvenile firesetters in The Handbook of Prescriptive Treatments for Children and Adolescents published by Allyn & Bacon. Paul also authored a chapter on juvenile firesetting for the revised NFPA Fire Protection Handbook.

Paul is the Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Education Section and is the co-chairperson of the NFPA Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Committee. He was also a member of the NFPA 1035 Professional Public Life and Fire Safety Educator Standards Committee. He worked with the committee to develop national standards for juvenile firesetter intervention specialists. Paul is also the Executive Director of the Finger Lake Regional Burn Association and is a board member of SOSFires.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES

Paul provides consulting services and educational seminars to fire departments and service agencies throughout North America on juvenile firesetting including: establishing community based programs; interviewing and assessing children involved in fire play and fire setting; and methods of prevention, intervention and treatment. Paul was a consultant to the development of Sean’s Story Toolkit for firesetting programs and is working with the IAFF on the development of a national youth firesetter database. The national and local media often interview Paul for news program coverage of children and fire.

Paul currently maintains a private consulting and counseling practice in Fairport, New York where he resides with his wife. Paul has two grown children.

Lt. Edwin Torres

Agent Edwin Torres began his law enforcement career in 1988 as a correction officer in the New Jersey Department of Corrections at the Training School in Monroe Township. In 1993, Agent Torres started working to address the presence of criminal street gangs in the juvenile facility. Agent Torres was promoted in 1996 to Sergeant and held various positions, including investigation sergeant, disciplinary sergeant, Honor Guard Commander and continued to work in the area of gang intelligence. Agent Torres was promoted to Lieutenant in 2003 and shortly thereafter became the commander of the newly created Gang Unit for the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC). Agent Torres oversaw gang suppression efforts for the JJC until 2008 when he accepted a position with the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation assigned to the Organized Crime/Criminal Street Gangs Unit.

Agent Torres is the president of the New Jersey chapter of the East Coast Gang Investigators Association and chairs the intelligence committee for the Association. Agent Torres is a Police Training Commission (PTC) certified instructor with a specialty in gangs and teach the gang class for the Basic Investigators Course at the Division of Criminal Justice. Agent Torres served as the liaison to the New Jersey State Police Street Gang Bureau, and was part of the Essex Anti-Crime partnership in Irvington, Governor McGreevy’s Gangland Security Task Force, and the law enforcement response to Hurricane Katrina where he assisted in gang investigations. Agent Torres has testified as a gang expert for Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Agent Torres is an instructor for Rutgers University and has developed gang curriculum for the University. Agent Torres has testified as a gang expert for the New Jersey Court and is a consultant for the National Gang Center.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES

Detective Lt. Paul Zipper

Detective Lieutenant Paul Zipper has been with the Massachusetts State Police for 30 years. He earned his Ph.D. from Northeastern University and an M.S. degree in Justice from American University. He has a B.S in Criminal Justice and a B.S. in Media Systems and Management from Westfield St. University. Zipper is currently the Section Commander of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Section and assigned to the Office of State Fire Marshal. Prior to becoming Section Commander, he was assigned as the Station Commander at SP Newbury. Before going to Newbury, he was assigned to the Fire and Explosion Investigation Section operating out of the State Fire Marshal’s Office for the past 20 years.

Zipper has been involved in college internship programs since the early 1990’s. He had been assigned as a field supervisor in excess of 100 student interns in his role as a fire investigator. He rewrote the internship curriculum at Northern Essex Community College and currently serves as an internship coordinator with NECC. He has developed the ancillary materials for Criminal Justice Internships Theory in Practice by R Bruce McBride and currently serves as a consultant on the ancillary materials. Recently in his capacity as the Section Commander of The Fire & Explosion Investigation Section he has served as site supervisor for 15 students each of the last two semesters as part of the Massachusetts State Police Internship Program.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES