Two Evansville fire stations will soon be equipped with baby boxes.
Nearly 90 fire departments and police departments in the U-S have sophisticated devices called Safe Haven Baby Boxes – where mothers can leave their babies without penalty, if they aren’t able or willing to care for them.
Now, Evansville Fire Station #3 on Fourth Avenue and #16 on Washington Avenue will be equipped with the boxes as well.
When an infant is placed inside the climate controlled box, a silent alarm is triggered and first responders are ready to take the baby. The boxes are softly lit and have blankets made by local volunteers.
The mothers can remain anonymous but they can also stay at the site to give first responders important health information and get postpartum recovery information – all without legal ramifications.
Right to Life of Southwestern Indiana raised the money for the boxes and the devices were installed by DeWeese Construction.
The public is invited to attend an unveiling at fire station #3 at 2pm on Thursday.