St. Albans Fire Department to unveil Safe Haven Baby Box

ST. ALBANS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The St. Albans Fire Department will host a dedication and blessing ceremony for its new Safe Haven Baby Box on Monday, August 12, at 3 PM.

The event will be held at the Central Fire Station, located at 51 6th Avenue.

The Safe Haven Baby Box initiative, a collaboration between the St. Albans Fire Department, the City of St. Albans, and the Safe Haven Baby Box organization, aims to provide a safe and legal option for the anonymous surrender of newborns.

This initiative seeks to prevent infant abandonment and ensure the immediate care and safety of these vulnerable infants.

During the September 2nd City Council meeting, St. Albans committed to partnering with the Safe Haven Baby Box organization to support expecting mothers in the community.

The organization’s mission is to end infant abandonment by raising awareness of the Safe Haven law and offering anonymous surrender options.

Chapman Technical Group, based in St. Albans, contributed $18,000 to fully fund the installation of the Baby Box.

Chief Carney of the St. Albans Fire Department highlighted the importance of community support in the project, stating, “The principal mission of the fire service is to save lives, and this project will save and protect the most vulnerable among us.”

Greg Belcher, PE, Senior Vice President of Chapman Technical Group, noted, “Next year will be our 40th anniversary here in St. Albans, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to give back to this community and to help make this special project a reality.”

Meeks Rentals/Joot Security also donated and installed a fully automated alarm system at no cost.

The new Safe Haven Baby Box at St. Albans Central Fire Station is the third in West Virginia and the only one south of Morgantown.

Staffed 24/7 by certified Emergency Medical Technicians, it is supported by a 24-hour hotline (1-866-99BABY1) for women to discuss their options with trained professionals.

For more information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes, contact Monica Kelsey at SHBB@safehavenbabyboxes.com or the St. Albans Fire Department at (304) 727-9722.