Longview council approves Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station 2; Hannah House to cover costs
Loading...
Summary
The City of Longview approved agreements to install a Safe Haven newborn safety device at Fire Station 2 on Eastman Road. Hannah House Ministries will pay purchase, installation and maintenance costs; the device allows anonymous infant drop-off under Texas safe-haven law.
The Longview City Council on Feb. 26 approved agreements that will allow a Safe Haven newborn safety box to be installed at Fire Station 2 on Eastman Road, with local nonprofit Hannah House Ministries covering all purchase, installation, alarm and maintenance costs.
"This item was brought to us by Hannah House," Assistant City Manager Mary Anne Hagenbuchar said, explaining the proposal and citing Texas Family Code chapter 262, the state safe-haven statute that allows municipalities to install such devices at staffed locations. Hagenbuchar said the box would be heated or cooled as needed and would sound an alarm when a baby is placed inside so firefighters can retrieve the infant promptly.
Melanie Wright, executive director of Hannah House, said the organization approached the city to expand life‑saving options for mothers in crisis. "This is a passion of mine," Wright said. She described Hannah House's work with expectant women and said the nonprofit will pay all costs associated with the box and its ongoing monitoring.
Council members asked procedural and practical questions about the operation: which station will host the box (Station 2 on Eastman Road), what happens after an alarm (the fire department retrieves the infant and the child goes to the hospital, where CPS and Hannah House will meet them), and whether the program allows anonymous drop‑offs in situations where a mother fears criminal exposure.
Chief Anthony Boone confirmed that the alarm triggers a rapid fire-department response and that the department and partner agencies have protocols to protect the child. "Once the child is placed in the Safe Haven box ... the fire department will get that baby in under two minutes and then take it to the hospital where CPS and Hannah House will meet them there," he said.
Councilor Sydney moved approval and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The agreements authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a purchase/service contract with Safe Haven Baby Box Inc. and a separate agreement with Hannah House Ministries to formalize the nonprofit’s role in funding and participating in post‑placement care. The city will not incur costs for purchase or maintenance under the proposed arrangements.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract language and proceed with installation at Station 2 once agreements are signed.
