Safe Havens for Abandoned Newborns

The department provides fire and rescue services for people of all ages in the city of Avalon. Services include emergency rescue, fire services, fire prevention information, sandbags/water diversion systems, and Safe Havens for Abandoned Newborns. Geographic restrictions apply for most services.

The department provides disaster services to help homeowners prepare against brush fires and floods. It provides advice and publications to help homeowners in brush fire areas reduce the risk of fire and to be prepared in the event of a brush fire. When flood warnings have been issued, the department provides sand bags to protect from flood damage; the bags are empty and must be filled by property owners.

The department's fire services include fire control and suppression, rescue, and fire safety. It inspects buildings and property for compliance with fire codes to reduce or eliminate fire hazards. The department enforces related laws, provides fire safety education programs and inspects for fire hazard abatement.

Under the Safe Haven Law, this county designated site accepts newborn babies up to 72 hours old from mothers who want to anonymously relinquish their child. After 72 hours women are not protected under the law. Designated staff attempt to place a numerically matching ID bracelet on the mother and the baby, and women have up to 14 days to reclaim their child. Mothers who surrender a newborn in accordance with the Safe Haven Law are immune from criminal liability for child abandonment.