Seminole County, Fla. (June 25, 2026) – The National Child Passenger Safety Certification program recently designated Seminole County Fire Department Public Safety Specialist Sharon Gregory as one of only eight new Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructors (CPST-I) in Florida.

Gregory is currently the only CPST Instructor in Seminole County, and only 45 percent of Florida counties currently have a CPST Instructor. Statewide, there are fewer than 100 CPST Instructors. In her new role, Gregory is qualified to train and certify new Child Passenger Safety Technicians and lead certification classes.

Achieving the CPST Instructor designation is a significant professional accomplishment that requires extensive training, experience, and evaluation. Gregory has served as a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician since 2015.

The Child Passenger Safety Certification Training program is administered by Safe Kids Worldwide, the certifying organization responsible for managing all aspects of the program. The organization works closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Child Passenger Safety Board and program sponsor State Farm.

Over the past three years, the Seminole County Fire Department has inspected or installed more than 250 car seats and averages approximately 60 inspections annually. In addition to Gregory as a CPST Instructor, the Department has three nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians, including one fire lieutenant, one firefighter/paramedic and one member of Dispatch.

“Sharon works tirelessly in her commitment to public safety education and serves as an outstanding resource for our community,” said Fire Chief Matt Kinley of the Seminole County Fire Department. “Her dedication to safety education directly improves child safety and strengthens our fire department’s community outreach across Seminole County.”

Gregory has helped lead the Seminole County Fire Department’s community outreach efforts since 2014. She previously served as an emergency communications dispatcher with SCFD and began her public safety career as a firefighter in another Florida county.

“A 30- to 45-minute appointment can save a child's life,” said Seminole County Chairman Andria Herr. “When you consider that three out of five car seats are installed incorrectly, it's easy to see why this service matters. Sharon's achievement will help more Seminole County families access expert guidance and keep their children safe on the road.”

The Seminole County Fire Department hosts monthly car seat inspections on the third Thursday of each month from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Seminole County Fire Station 27, located at 5280 Red Bug Lake Road in Winter Springs.

For more information on car seat inspections and other car seat events, contact SCFDCommunityOutreach@seminolecountyfl.gov, call 407-665-5128 or visit www.SCFDFL.com.