**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Contact: Scott Thomsen
Phone: (805) 389-9746
Email: PIOFire@ventura.org
Ventura County Fire Awarded Grant to Enhance Child Passenger SafetyÂ
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has been awarded a $92,113 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support programs aimed at preventing motor vehicle injuries to children, the agencies announced today. The grant program runs through September 2025.
This year’s funding continues VCFD’s mission to educate the community on child passenger safety, with initiatives to increase awareness and provide resources to ensure that children are properly secured in vehicles throughout Ventura County.
“The safety and well-being of our community’s youngest members remains a top priority,: Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “This grant allows us to strengthen and expand our child passenger safety outreach and training programs, bringing essential resources to parents, caregivers and community members in Ventura County.”
Key components of the program include:
- Hands-on instruction on child car seat installation
- Providing child safety seats to qualifying families
- Community outreach events
- Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) training courses
- Collaborations with local organizations
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of child fatalities in the United States, with road-related accidents as a primary contributor. Proper use of car seats can reduce the risk of severe or fatal injuries in a crash by up to 80%, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data reveals that nearly half of all car seats (46%) are installed incorrectly, despite caregivers’ confidence in their installations.
In partnership with Safe Kids Ventura County, led by Ventura County Public Health, VCFD will continue to provide community members with vital information, resources, and car seats for income-eligible families.
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/.
