The Lake-Sumter EMS motto, “In Rhythm with Our Community,” is the foundation on which our service stands. Lake-Sumter EMS values the citizens of Lake and Sumter counties and is pleased to play a role in meeting their needs in partnership with many other community organizations and agencies. We hope to continue to build on our past relationships, as well as, establish new ones in the future.
Child Safety Seat Program
In Florida, motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of children ages 1 to 14. Studies indicate that in many cases injuries and deaths were a result of improper use of car seats. Lake-Sumter EMS, along with Leesburg Fire, Tavares Fire, Lake County Sheriffs Office, Mascotte Fire, Clermont Fire, Lake County Fire and Eustis Fire Departments, has successfully implemented the first unified Child Safety Seat Program in our area. Funding was provided by a Federal Grant awarded through the Florida Department of Transportation. Weekly to monthly fitting stations, as well as two large scale car seat check points will be hosted in different locations every year. When completed, the program will host a training session that will include common misuse and proper installation techniques that will be conducted by our K.I.S.S. Team (Kids in Safety Seats Team). The training will be offered to anyone seeking information on proper safety seat use. Additionally, low-cost safety seats are available to those who meet the financial requirements.
Did you know 4 out of 5 car seats are installed improperly? It is our goal that through education, training and outreach that all children are properly restrained in the correct restraint system for their age and size every time they travel in a motor vehicle. It will take community cooperation and a team effort to reach this goal.
The K.I.S.S. Team was awarded a second Federal Grant from Florida Department of Transportation in the amount of 63,900.00 for the fiscal year 2008-2009. Child safety is our priority, and we will continue to meet the needs of our parents and Grandparents. Please refer to the picture of little Derreck who received a Chicco Safety Seat from the program. Derreck weighed a mere four pounds at birth and needed a safety seat that would accommodate his low birth weight. Chicco is one of only three distributers who manufacture low birth weight safety seats. Our team was able to help Derreck’s family secure an appropriate car seat which at our cost was still $120.00. Derreck is now weighing in at seven pounds and doing wonderfully. His mother, Rachel, is now able to contribute to the program and, due to the educational process, Rachel knows how important it is to transport kids in the proper safety seat restraint.
Our next Kids-In-Safety-Seats event is scheduled for 18 September 2010 – 9:00am – 1:00pm at Lake-Sumter Community College Clermont Campus. See our Event Flyer (PDF) for more information.