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what does this sign mean to you
I hope I've done this right. Picture wise that is. Local stations have been designated as 'Safe Surrender' sites. But, last week an expectant mother, believing she wouldn't make it to the hospital, decided that this meant a 'birthing' place. The paramedics on duty did deliver a healthy baby 5 minutes later.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Justin Buck on
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i have never seen that sign before
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly A. Beatty on
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neither have I, sorry :(
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on
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I've heard of these places, where mothers who would abandon their babies can safely leave them rather than dropping them in a trashcan in a bus depot or something. But I never saw the sign before.
That said, how far along was the mother who gave birth at your station? Was she really not able to make it the hospital in time? I mean, if she was fully dilated and the baby was crowning, then I would say she made the right choice! What's better, stopping safely at a fire station and having the baby where there are EMTs and/or paramedics (First Responders at a minimum), or in the back seat of her car on the shoulder of the road, where her car could be struck by a speeding car, waiting for the very same folks to come out and help her deliver the baby?
Now, if she came to the Station and wasn't about to give birth, but simply decided to have it there out of convenience, or laziness, then she should have gone to the Hospital, or birthing center...
GM
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Permalink Reply by Aric Stewart on
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that is a logo for what is called safe harbor for mothers to leave their kids after birthing and they don't want it but the only place i have seen it is here in Texas where did you see this sign at. and that sign came from a law that was passed in texas.
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Permalink Reply by Will2745 on
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I have never seen the sign, but do know in Michigan a fire station is a designated place to drop off unwanted newborns with no questions asked...We keep a detailed list of responsibilities for the firefighters posted in our station.
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Permalink Reply by Damon Dyer on
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I agree with GM a fire department is a good place considering the alternatives . It sounds like she was lucky being that she gave birth 5 minutes later . It is a shame though that some will through a baby away .
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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on
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I probably should give a little info on this sign. In 2000, the state passed a law that allowed a newborn to be 'surrendered' no questions asked. But the surrender could only occur at an ER. Recently, the law was amended to allow the County to designate additional Safe Surrender Sites. Fire stations here are now so designated and have the signage. I'm not sure exactly how the law/ordinance reads. I'm not sure if ALL stations in the county have been designated. We have municipal, state, federal, indian,and volunteer depts. in the county. I've just covered the gist of this. As with most laws, the legalese is way over my head.
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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
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Regardless of what the expectant mother thought, she seemed desperate and came to a public service installation, aka a fire station and was treated. Poor planning on her part but she was using the public service for what it was intended for. Did she leave the baby after birth? If she did, that was what the "safe surrender" site was intended for. It is sad that some babies aren't wanted but at least they aren't left just anywhere.
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Billy,
It might not have been poor planning on her part. Afterall babies come when they come, and not always when they're supposed to. Her water may have broken and the baby wanted out! Not every mother has hours and hours of labor, my wife's longest labor was three hours, and my younger son was born 45 minutes after my wife woke up one morning and realized she was in labor; he was two weeks early.
But no matter, you're spot-on when you say she did the right thing when she realized she wasn't going to make it to the hospital. Frankly, if I was driving a woman in labor to the hospital and it became apparent we weren't going to make it in time, I'd head for the nearest firehouse too.
GM
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GM,
Good reply. I should have said "maybe it was poor planning". The point was the she was within her rights to use a public service. TCSS.
Billy
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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We've got something like this in Illinois. The baby has to be 7 days old or younger, and the mother can hand it over at a hospital, Police Station, Church or (manned) Fire Station with NO questions asked! We've got a different sign though. This has been a law for a few years now, and there are still babies being abandoned in the trash in Chicago and elsewhere!
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