Bedford County fire chief: $78,170 in grants received so far; county will only host Safe Haven baby box

The Bedford County fire chief told the Courthouse and Property Committee the fire department has received $78,170 in grants in the current budget year, though not all funds have yet arrived.

"In this past budget year, we've received in grants $78,170 thus far," the fire chief said, adding that grant funds "flow in and out" and that some awards had not yet been received.

The chief also described ongoing conversations about installing a Safe Haven Baby Box at a county fire station. He said the contract and financial responsibility would be between a third-party organization and the vendor; Bedford County would not sign the contract or take on upkeep costs.

"We, as Bedford County, will not be signing that contract," the fire chief said. He said county staff are proposing to offer an underused corner of a fire station as a possible installation site and will invite the Safe Haven organization and First Choice Pregnancy Center to provide more information to county officials.

The committee was told that if the installation proceeds, the matter would return for committee or commission approval before the box is placed on county property. The chief said he could arrange a virtual meeting with Safe Haven for committee members to ask questions.

Commissioners who spoke during the report thanked the department for pursuing grant funding and asked the chief to provide updates as the Safe Haven discussion progresses.