THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has received a $95,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to expand its child passenger safety initiatives. The grant runs through September 2026 and funding supports programs that reduce injuries and fatalities among children in motor vehicle crashes by promoting proper car seat use throughout Ventura County.
The grant will allow VCFD to continue its collaboration with Safe Kids Ventura County, led by Ventura County Public Health, to educate parents and caregivers, distribute child safety seats to families in need, and train new Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs).
“Car seats save lives, but they are not always easy to use correctly,” said Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “This grant helps us connect with families directly, providing hands-on guidance and resources that make every ride safer for children.”
Grant-funded activities include:
· Free car seat installation checks and education
· Distribution of car seats to income-eligible families
· Community safety events and outreach presentations
· Training and certification of new CPSTs
· Ongoing collaboration with local agencies and health programs
Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children in the United States, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that correct car seat use can reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury by up to 80 percent, yet data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that nearly half of all car seats (46 percent) are installed incorrectly.
Funding for this child passenger safety program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information, visit our website at https://vcfd.org/child-passenger-safety/.