AFD is working to install baby boxes at fire stations after a toddler died outdoors

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The death of an infant found outdoors near downtown over the weekend put Alaska's Safe Haven laws in the spotlight.

Under the law, a person can safely surrender an infant under 21 days old to a fire station or hospital without any questions asked.

However, this requires face-to-face interaction that some may find intimidating.

That's why two Anchorage Fire Department dispatchers are working to install Safe Haven Baby Boxes at every fire station in Anchorage.

The boxes are built into the outside of the fire station and when a person drops off a baby in the box, it is placed in a medical cradle and a silent alarm is triggered.

Information about resources is left to the individual if they choose to use them. An emergency call is made to the control center so that someone from the fire department can get to the infant as quickly as possible.

The boxes are completely anonymous.

“We've been trying to get these there – at least to Anchorage … if not all over the state if we can,” said Frances Robinson, telecommunications operator for the Anchorage Fire Department. “Unfortunately, we're kind of… We're at a standstill, and as sad as this tragedy is, I hope it gives us the drive we need to push this forward and establish this.

“I hope something good can come from this tragedy. I hope we can raise awareness about the Safe Haven for Infants Act and hopefully get these Safe Haven Baby Boxes established.”

The estimated cost of installing just one box is about $16,000.

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