Full Notification

Statistics show that 3 out of 4 car seats are improperly used. Improper use of a child safety seat can lead to severe injury or death. For the last several years, Riley Fire Department along with Honey Creek Fire Department has operated a permanent fitting station during normal business hours. This permanent fitting station is staffed by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians who inspect car seats and instruct families on how to properly secure them in their vehicles. When families come through the door, our trained car seat technicians can immediately spot a car seat that is not properly fitted for the child. Often, the technicians can correct the problem that day during the appointment. Yesterday Jessica Murphy, a member of Riley Fire Department and Nick Montelauro, a member of Honey Creek Fire Department, completed the process to become nationally certified child passenger safety technicians bringing the total number of technicians to four. The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program is a partnership between three organizations: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Child Passenger Safety Board (NCPSB), & Safe Kids Worldwide. The course is an intensive 3 day program designed to provide the student the technical skills and knowledge to educate caregivers on the correct selection, installation, and use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.

Riley Fire Department would like to congratulate both Jessica and Nick on their hard work and welcome them to the fitting station staff. Both will be available for car seat checks by appointment.

The Governor’s Council on Impaired Driving and Dangerous Driving funds this program with technical support provided by the Automotive Safety Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. For more information, call toll free at 800-KID-N-CAR, or visiting the program’s website at www. preventinjury.org