Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN)

Lead Instructor: Rob Kaufman, B.S., Crash Reconstructionist

The Center participates as a site in the CIREN Project, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the automotive industry. CIREN conducts motor vehicle injury surveillance for occupant injuries among restrained passengers in selected crashes. Detailed crash reconstruction and clinical data are collected and loaded into a national database shared by all sites. Data is used by researchers and automotive engineers to improve the design and engineering of passenger vehicles.

Based on the data gathered for the project, the CIREN project staff have taken an active role in outreach and training in the Northwest and nationally. CIREN uses findings from research to inform the public and traffic safety personnel about vehicle safety. In 2002, Crash Investigator, Rob Kaufman, received the Outreach Award from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Kaufman has been involved in promoting safe seatbelt use by conducting trainings and developing an educational video. CIREN staff have also assisted in the production of radio and television public service announcements to encourage seat belt use for the "Click It or Ticket" project.

Training trauma care workers to provide better transport and triage has been another area of focus for the project. To date, thousands have attended trainings by Seattle CIREN investigators, including surgeons, ER staff, EMS staff, medical examiners, community groups, engineers and automakers, and law enforcement. For more information see the CIREN web site.