NC CPS Training Committee Policies
Permanent Child Passenger Safety Checking Station Criteria

updated 05-27-09  printable pdf

Permanent Checking Stations (PCS) are locations for parents/caregivers to go in order to be educated about child passenger safety (CPS) and have their child restraints and seat belts checked to insure they are installed and used correctly. Following are the criteria for recognition as a PCS by the NC CPS Training Committee:

1. The sponsoring agency must provide a station(s) or site(s) as a permanent location(s) for parents/caregivers to receive education on child restraints.
   
   
2. The primary contact for the PCS must be a current Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician or Technician Instructor (CPST). Secondary program contacts and persons designated as the contact for the general public are not required to be CPSTs.
   
   
3. A current Nationally Certified CPST must be available, on site, during checking station hours of operation. Checking station hours of operation should be determined based on the number and availability of CPSTs. Sponsoring agencies should not feel obligated to provide “24/7” PCS services or to persons who show up at the PCS at times outside of posted hours of operation.
   
   
4. All persons, inspecting and/or installing child restraints and/or educating parents/caregivers on their proper use must be current Nationally Certified CPS Technicians.
   
   
5. It is recommended, but not required, to have at least two CPSTs involved in providing checking and educational services to have a “second pair of eyes” available for reviewing the installation and use of the child restraints before the parent/caregiver leaves the PCS and assure that the CPS checklist form is correctly completed.
   
   
6. Individuals who are not current Nationally Certified CPS Technicians may assist Certified Technicians by:
   1. Filling out inspection checklists and otherwise assisting the Technicians with the checks
   2. Fulfilling administrative functions including, but not necessarily limited to, scheduling appointments, filing paperwork, and ordering equipment and supplies
   3. Providing general safety information to the parents/caregivers in the form of handouts and referrals to websites and other resources
      
7. The sponsoring agency must develop and implement protocols to make sure that:
   1. All aspects of correct restraint use, including type of restraint selected, harness/shield adjustment, and installation are evaluated
   2. The assessment is based on information contained in the CRD and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions
   3. The results of the assessment are communicated to the parents/caregiver and that the parents/caregiver is taught how to use and [as is applicable] how to install the CRD in the vehicle
   4. The parents/caregiver made the final decision on how to use and install the CRD.
      
8. If the sponsoring agency personnel are subject to emergency response calls, the sponsoring agency must develop and implement protocols to make sure that
   1. Certified CPST’s involved in the checks are designated as the last to be called
   2. A back up plan is in place to complete the check in the event all involved personnel are called to respond to an emergency, and
   3. Prior to beginning the check, the parents/caregiver is made aware of the possibility of having the checkers called out and what the back up plan is.
      
9. Appropriate documentation must be made for each seat checked, distributed and/or installed. Documentation must be kept on file for at least three (3) years and must be made available to appropriate State agencies upon request.
   
   
10. J. The sponsoring agency must partner with their NC Safe Kids Buckle Up county contact, local Safe Kids North Carolina Chapter/Coalition, and Safe Communities Programs where applicable.
    
    
11. The sponsoring agency must post a fixed "NC Permanent Checking Station" sign on site. [Note: Standardized signs are available through the Office of the State Fire Marshal.]
    
    
12. The sponsoring agency must register contact and hours of operation information with the North Carolina Child Passenger Safety Resource Center and agree to make this information publicly available through the buckleupnc.org web site and any other relevant print or on line publications.

Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: July 21, 2003
Revision(s) Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: August 18, 2003
Revision(s) Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: May 26, 2009

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