Chelsea fire department offering car seat checks

Chelsea Fire and Rescue employees are now certified car seat technicians.

This certification offers a service to the community, said public information officer Paul Williams, which is why Chelsea City Fire Chief Wayne Shirley set the plan in motion. Full-time employees at the fire department are now able to install car seats, inspect the installation of car seats or answer questions about car seats and safety.

“You can know that your car seat is installed properly and ensure the safety of your child,” Williams said.

To get certified, employees took a week-long course taught by Patrick Fowler, through the Alabama Fire College. Other fire departments in the area also came to the training, and Williams said each department benefitted from the course. Chelsea Fire and Rescue saw it as a win-win for the departments and the communities they serve, Williams said. By offering the chance to check car seats, the department can help avoid greater injury.

“Prevention is really our main goal,” Williams said. “You have a greater chance of surviving if you’re strapped in.”

Training used a simulator to keep the process hands-on and make sure they got practice with checking the degree, height and securing of car seats. Fire and rescue officers can also check that a car seat is the proper size for a child or answer other questions.

Anyone with car seat questions or hoping for an inspection can stop by the Chelsea City Fire Department at 160 Chesser Drive from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.