Banner-A Guide to Implementing Child Passenger Safety Inspection Stations

APPENDIX B

Staffing The CPS Inspection Station

The experienced and certified CPS technician has a central role in conducting child safety seat inspections. However, there are other duties and responsibilities that are very important to the successful operation of an inspection station and must be handled efficiently and professionally. In an ideal situation, people would be assigned separate roles in operating the CPS inspection station, but in most cases, one person may have several roles to play.

Coordinator

The Coordinator is responsible for all the administrative needs essential to the smooth, efficient operation of a CPS inspection station. The duties of the Coordinator may include responding to calls from the public, scheduling and confirming inspection appointments, securing experienced and certified CPS technicians, ordering supplies, gathering the data collected from the inspection forms, filing the inspection forms, maintaining current education materials and a current child safety seat recall list. The Coordinator should always have access to the inspection station’s written operating policies. The Coordinator may also be responsible for many of the marketing and publicity activities. The Coordinator does not have to be a certified CPS technician, but should have some formal CPS training, be knowledgeable about current CPS issues and display a sincere commitment to promoting CPS initiatives within the community.

Greeter

Depending upon the level of activity at an inspection station, the coordinator may also serve as the “Greeter.” The Greeter helps to ensure the smooth operation of the inspection station. If there is waiting time involved, the Greeter can provide general CPS information, talk to the parent/caregiver about the inspection process, distribute the inspection form and direct vehicles to the next available CPS technicians.

Scribe/Recorder

Using the inspection station’s approved data collection form, the Scribe gathers information about the vehicle and its passengers from the vehicle driver, checks for child safety seat recalls, records information regarding seating positions, misuse, corrections made, seats installed and education information provided to the driver by the certified CPS technician. The Scribe insures that all forms are signed and dated by the driver, the certified CPS technician and the lead CPS technician, and deposits the completed form in the designated location. If a new child safety seat is installed, the Scribe also insures that the driver completes the manufacturer’s recall information card. (The coordinator may choose to mail the completed cards on behalf of the parents to insure that the cards reach the child safety seat manufacturers.)

Certified CPS Technician

It is recommended that experienced and certified CPS Technicians perform the actual seat inspections and installations. Certifications for all participating CPS Technicians must be current.

The Technician’s main role is as an educator. The Technician is responsible for the inspection of the child safety seat, demonstrating to the parent or caregiver how to properly install the seat and secure the child, and deciding whether or not to replace a seat. In addition, the Technician should also insure that any replaced seats are properly disposed of so as to prevent further use (unless used in a training course).

Lead CPS Technician

The term “Lead CPS Technician” is used here to generally identify certified CPS technicians and/or instructors who serve as a “second pair of eyes” for reviewing the installation of child safety seats before the parent or caregiver leaves the inspection station. The Lead CPS Technician would also assure that the CPS checklist form is correctly completed. At CPS inspection stations that operate with multiple certified technicians, it is advisable to have at least one Lead CPS Technician available to serve in this capacity. When CPS inspections occur with only one available certified technician, this is not possible.

The NHTSA Standardized CPS Training Curriculum does not identify the roles and responsibilities of a Lead CPS Technician, as they may vary by community. Regardless, if a Lead CPS Technician is used, that individual’s certification must be current and periodic CPS trainings should be taken to keep abreast of CPS issues and changing technologies.

Traffic Coordinator

Traffic Coordinators are typically law enforcement officials, as they usually have the expertise directing vehicles and insuring the public’s safety. This position is most appropriate to inspection stations held at outside locations. However, depending upon the volume of traffic, it could be necessary to have a traffic coordinator at any CPS inspection site.

Important Reminder: Although many people play significant roles in the operation of a CPS inspection station, the most critical role is that of the parent/caregiver. The knowledge gained from the CPS inspection experience is meant to empower the parent/caregiver to properly install and use an appropriate child safety seat for his or her child. For this reason, the parent/caregiver should always have a “hands-on” role in the inspection process and should always be the last person to touch the child safety seat before the vehicle leaves the CPS inspection station.

two ladies with infant car seat