Countryside fire district adds child car seat technicians

Vernon Hills-based Countryside Fire Protection District has added four child car seat technicians to its Public Education Team, made possible through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The $2,800 grant allowed the team to purchase a heavy-duty car seat simulator and other necessary supplies to ensure resident have secured child car seats properly in their vehicles.

“The car seat simulator is an excellent tool for demonstrating proper attachment to the vehicle seat,” said Firemedic Ryan Mastandrea, one of the recently certified technicians.

“I like the simulator because it was the same one we practiced on in the child car seat technician class and I am very familiar with it after four days of training,” added Firemedic Andy Rubenstein.

Public Education Coordinator Tony Rodkey said the simulator is portable and will be used at local events.

“The simulator is to help educate residents on proper child car seat installation and, by watching the techs use it, the residents have an easier time understanding how to install their child car seat properly,” Rodkey added.

Countryside Fire needs residents to realize the car seat technicians are available to help educate on proper installation and this takes some time.

For an appointment on checking your car seat, call Countryside Fire in Vernon Hills between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at (847) 367-5511 to assure a car seat technician is available. Visit trafficsafety.illinois.gov/ and click on “buckle up Illinois” for child car seat check points.