| News Release |
| Release Date: |
10/12/2005 |
Release Time: |
4:50 PM |
| Contact: |
Fire Captain Julie Hutchinson
Public Affairs Bureau
951-940-6330
|
Subject: |
Safely Surrendered Baby Program |
Full Text:
Recently, in Los Angeles County a newborn baby was found abandoned and deceased in an alleyway. This is a very unfortunate incident, but this can be prevented. The Riverside County Fire Department¿s fire stations along with hospital emergency rooms are designated as ¿Safe Surrender Sites¿. Safe Surrender Sites are identified by a blue and white sign with the Safely Surrender logo. Under the California¿s Safely Surrendered Baby law, a parent can legally, confidentially, and safely surrender a baby within three days of birth as long as there has not been abuse and if the infant is surrendered at a fire station or emergency room personnel.
All hospital emergency rooms were designated as Safe Surrender sites when the State law was passed in 2001, and in March 2005, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors authorized the designation of county fire stations. There are now 85 Riverside County, CDF, and contract City fire stations designated as Safe Surrender Sites, along with the Corona, Riverside, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City fire departments*.
All firefighters on-duty at Riverside County Fire Stations have received training on the procedures for accepting a surrendered infant. Infants will receive medical treatment and transportation to the closest hospital. The Department of Public Social Services will be notified and will take custody of the infant. Parents can reclaim their baby within fourteen days as long as they have the ability to care for the infant.
A toll free hotline (1-800-472-5697) has been established so that anyone contemplating abandoning an infant in Riverside County can call anonymously for information about the law and the location of a Safe Surrender Site.
Abandoning a baby puts the child in extreme danger. It is also illegal. Too often, it results in the baby¿s death. Distressed parents have an option that is safe, legal, and anonymous close to where they live: their local fire station. Fire Chief Craig Anthony states, "If this program saves just one infant from abandonment, it will be worth all the effort." Riverside County is proud to be supporting this life saving program.
*The Hemet and Murrieta fire departments are not participating in this program.
|
Main Photo:
|
|
|
|
 |
|
