About us
FIRES brings together internationally recognised expertise in the psychology of deliberate firesetting. Our team combines decades of clinical, forensic, research, and leadership experience to advance understanding, improve intervention, and build capacity across the sectors responsible for preventing firesetting-related harm.
Our experts are leaders in firesetting research and practice, with internationally recognised contributions to assessment, treatment, program development, and professional education. Through our work, we bridge the gap between scientific evidence and real-world practice, ensuring that individuals, organisations, and systems have access to the latest knowledge and best-practice approaches.
We are committed to working in partnership with professionals across fire and emergency services, law enforcement, child protection, mental health, disability services, justice, and other sectors with a shared responsibility for understanding, assessing, and responding to problem firesetting.
Our work extends beyond clinical practice. FIRES actively conducts research, delivers evidence-based training, provides specialist consultation, and undertakes comprehensive firesetting behaviour assessments to support informed decision-making, effective intervention, and long-term prevention.
Together, we are helping shape the future of firesetting assessment, intervention, and prevention.
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Director | Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
Dr Lauren Ducat is an award-winning clinical and forensic psychologist with extensive expertise in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of complex problem behaviours. Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA), she has worked across community, inpatient, and custodial forensic mental health settings and is recognised for her leadership in translating research into innovative clinical practice.
As the former Chief Psychologist and Manager of the Problem Behaviour Program at Forensicare, Victoria, Dr Ducat has led multidisciplinary teams, developed specialist services, and delivered evidence-based interventions for individuals presenting with complex forensic needs.
A recognised leader in firesetting prevention, Dr Ducat is committed to reducing harm through collaborative, multi-agency approaches. In partnership with Dr Nichola Tyler (CFBS) and Forensicare, she co-designed an innovative police–forensic mental health initiative to identify, assess, and intervene early with individuals at risk of deliberate bushfire firesetting.
Beyond her specialist expertise in firesetting, Dr Ducat has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of a broad range of high-risk and complex behaviours, including the preparation of expert psychological reports for Victorian courts.
Dr Ducat is an Adjunct at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology. She has contributed to the international research literature on firesetting and forensic psychology and is an invited presenter at national and international conferences, where she shares expertise on behavioural risk, intervention, and best practice.