ATHENS-TBAKI, an Athens industry that is an automotive manufacturer of seats and supplier for the Mazda Toyota
Manufacturing, is helping local first responders better respond to vehicle emergencies.
When first responders arrive at a motor vehicle accident, the scene can be chaotic. If the accident involves a
child or adult with a special need who may not be aware of danger or respond to commands, that adds to the
confusion.
In 2019, the City of Athens received community grant funding from members of its local Legislative Delegation
to purchase seat belt covers that alert responders a person has autism, is deaf or has a special need. Athens
Police and Athens Fire distributed the covers to the public upon request. The covers are Velcro and wrap
around the seat belt and include wording that alerts responders the person has a special need.
This year, Limestone County Sheriff Josh McLaughlin expressed interest in purchasing seat belt covers for his
department. Athens Police and Athens Fire reported they were nearly out of their supplies. TBAKI donated
funds to pay for half the cost of supplying all three agencies with the seat belt covers.
“This is a tool for us because it provides us immediate information when we respond to a vehicle-related
emergency,” Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said. “When our officers see one of these covers, they can rely
on their specialized training to respond in a manner that is helpful.”
Athens Fire Chief James Hand said the covers also enable police, fire, and medical personnel to have the
knowledge needed to understand a person may be resistant or non-communicative because of a special need
and not necessarily from an unknown injury.
Stacey Givens (in yellow) explaining the importance of responders having information at a scene
Stacey Givens with Make a Way Foundation, who is the mother of an autistic son and a daughter who is hearing
impaired, said children with autism or another special need may resist help, may not recognize danger and may
become upset by the lights and noise. She said being proactive allows all of those involved in a situation or
emergency to respond in the best interest of the child or adult with a special need.
Givens said her son is driving, and has practiced being pulled over by police. She said even though he knew it
was practice, he would not look at the officer and became nervous.
“The officer knew ahead of time he is autistic, and responded with kindness and understanding,” Givens said. “If
she had not known my son was autistic, and this had been a real traffic stop, the officer could have been
concerned my son was hiding something and being disrespectful and defiant. He could have ended up in
handcuffs.”
TBAKI became a community partner after Chief Johnson and City of Athens Grant Coordinator/Communications
Specialist Holly Hollman set up a meeting to discuss the project. Jordan Gygi, with TBAKI’s accounting, IT and
HR departments, said the project is ideal for the automotive-based company because it is helping create a safer
experience for the community during vehicle-related emergencies.
TBAKI donated $4,000 toward the cost of the covers. Other groups donated as well, including:
Behind the Badge – APD – $1,100
Athens Fire and Rescue Auxiliary – $1,100
Limestone County Sheriff’s Department – $1,00
Make a Way Foundation – $1,000
Attorney Jim Moffatt – $100
Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly – $100
Camden’s Designs and Creations in Kentucky had a template for the seat belt covers and created them for the
project.
