The United Way of Bruce Grey has announced the upcoming Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Training Course, scheduled for October 1–4, in Kincardine. This comprehensive four-day program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the safety of child passengers on our roads.
Held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 345 Durham Street, Kincardine, the training sessions will run daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The course culminates in a hands-on car seat clinic hosted by the Kincardine Fire Department on the final day, providing participants with practical experience in real-world scenarios.
Investing in CPSAC’s Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) training course for local fire department personnel, police officers, and agency staff is a proactive and impactful way to increase child safety across our region. Motor vehicle collisions remain a leading cause of injury and death among children in Canada, and proper car seat use significantly reduces the risk. However, studies consistently show that a large percentage of child car seats are installed or used incorrectly.
By training front-line responders and community agency staff as certified CPSTs, we will build local capacity to provide expert guidance to families, conduct safety checks, and host community car seat clinics. These trusted professionals already interact with families in their daily work, making them ideally positioned to deliver this crucial safety education. Funding this training will establish a sustainable, regionally based network of certified technicians dedicated to protecting our most vulnerable passengers—our children.
The CPST certification, valid for three years, is issued through the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC). The curriculum includes classroom instruction, hands-on practise, and a multiple-choice knowledge assessment. Participants will receive all necessary course materials, including a textbook and classroom supplies.
Local community champions identified a gap that no one local was trained to run a Car Seat Clinic locally and identified this need to the United Way of Bruce Grey.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, funding is available for police, fire, and charitable sector employees. Additionally, four spots are open to private businesses, such as car dealerships, at a cost of $450 per person for the entire course.
“This training is a vital step towards enhancing child passenger safety in our community,” said Francesca Dobbyn at United Way of Bruce Grey. “By empowering individuals with the proper knowledge and skills, we can make our roads safer for our youngest passengers.”
Participants are advised to wear comfortable, casual clothing and appropriate footwear, as the course involves active participation, including climbing in and out of vehicles.
For more information or to register for the CPST Training Course, please visit https://unitedwayofbrucegrey.com/child-passenger-safety-technician-cpst-training-course/.
