Blue Ribbon Arson Committee

In 1973, the Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association founded the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee (BRAC) for the purpose of bringing together in a working liaison Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and Insurance Industry Personnel to combat the crime of arson. Since its inception, the chairman of BRAC has been the chief of the State Arson Bureau of Ohio.

Rewards Program
Since 1978, BRAC has sponsored a reward fund for information leading to the identification of person(s) responsible for arson fires in Ohio. Nominations for rewards are accepted from any Law Enforcement Officer charged with the responsibility of investigating incendiary fires, or any prosecutor, or any officer of an insurance company licensed to write insurance in Ohio. The program incorporates the use of a large dramatic sign that is posted on property damaged by arson. Signs are posted by Fire Service and/or Law Enforcement Personnel.

Since 1978, BRAC has issued 407 awards in the total amount of $413,300. This has assisted in solving at least 481 fires. 105 of the cases were attempts to defraud the insurance industry, and savings are in excess of $4,400,000.

High School Art Contest
In addition, BRAC supports an Arson Awareness Week Art Program for Ohio high school students. The purpose of this effort is to create Arson Awareness among young citizens of the state. High school students participate in an Art Program where they design posters to make the general public more aware of the arson problem. The winners of these programs and their high schools receive cash awards. The posters are prominently displayed throughout the city where the contest originated.

Anti-Arson Grants & Scholarships
BRAC funds Anti-Arson Grants and Scholarships to Fire and Police Departments. To be eligible, an individual must nominate someone for a BRAC Reward. There is an annual drawing involving the departments who participated in the BRAC Reward Program during a specific calendar year, and the winners will receive $1,000 in anti-arson equipment, or a scholarship to the Ohio Arson School.

For more information on the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee, please contact the Executive Secretary,
T A Brininger at 614-839-6446 X 102 or TABrininger@Ohiofairplan.com

Prize winning Posters from May 2005 Arson Awareness Art Program: