Family Forum / Parenting / Adoption / December 2006

FLORIDA

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/dec/21/two_local_fire_houses_named_baby_safe
_havens/?latest

Two local fire houses named baby "safe havens"

By Ryan Mills - naplesnews.com

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Two Naples fire stations have been classified as "safe havens,"
meaning parents of newborns can leave their babies at the stations
without being prosecuted for abandonment, the Naples Police and
Emergency Services Department announced today.

Two of the three shifts of firefighters and paramedics at Naples fire
stations 1 and 2 have gone through safe haven training, Fire Prevention
Specialist Pamela DeMeo said. The third shift at each station is
scheduled to go through the 45-minute training session on Friday.

The training consists of a video and Power Point presentation that
discuss the laws and procedures regarding the Safe Haven Act, which was
passed by the Florida Legislature in 2000. The Safe Haven Act allows
parents to bring their unharmed newborn baby, up to 3 days old, to any
hospital or fire station that is staffed 24 hours a day without fear of
legal action.

"They don't question the parents," DeMeo said. "The parents
don't have to worry about any harassment. They don't have to fear
bringing their baby in."

Actually, the two Naples fire stations have been safe havens since
2000, but now the firefighters have been trained and they will have
signs indicating their safe haven status, DeMeo said. The signs have
been provided by the Miami-based nonprofit A Safe Haven for Newborns.

Since 2000 there have been 57 babies placed at safe havens in the
state. There has been one in Collier County, A Safe Haven for Newborns
reported.

"One is too many," DeMeo said.

Naples Fire Station 1 is located at 835 Eighth Ave. S., and Naples Fire
Station 2 is located at 977 26th Ave. N.