Atlanta Fire Rescue Awarded $162,700 Car Seat Grant

Staff Report

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has awarded the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department $162,700 in federal funds to provide car seats, as well as installation services and training for low-income families throughout the city.

Statistics based on observation at child safety seat check events indicate that the safety seat misuse rate in Georgia continues to exceed 90 percent, a factor that is a significant contributor to the deaths of infants and children in auto accidents.

Car seats saved the lives of infants in 71 percent of road accidents in one year alone (54 percent for toddlers), but a car seat that is installed incorrectly seriously increases the risk of danger, says the National Highway Safety Administration.

AFRD operates 36 car seat fitting stations throughout the city. These stations are open from 8 am – 7:30 pm seven days a week. The Department has filled more than 60,000 requests for car seats and/or installation services to date. 

“Atlanta Fire Rescue is grateful to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for its confidence in this important program,” said Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran in a news release. “These funds will allow us purchase more than 2,000 car seats and child safety booster seats, train and certify firefighters in correct installation methods and continue these vital outreach efforts in our communities.”

The grant is effective through September 30, 2014. There is no required local funding match.


This report was provided by the City of Atlanta and edited for publication.