2005 AGN JAN 18 I21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item #21 CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR COUNCIL MEETING OF January 18, 2005 ITO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Tom Hendrix, Fire Chief SUBJECT: Consider Approval of a Resolution Supporting Fire Department Participation in the Infant Safe Haven Program DATE: January 10, 2005 BACKGROUND: To protect newborn infants who may be abandoned by their mother or guardian, the State Legislature passed the Safety Surrender Baby Law, SB 1368, which went into effect on January 1, 2001. This bill allows for the voluntary surrender of an infant under 72 hours old to any employee on duty at a public or private hospital emergency room, or any additional locations designated by the Board of Supervisors. On August 24, 2004, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution designating participating fire stations as Safe Haven Sites, with an implementation date of December 1, 2004. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Subsequent to the Board of Supervisors Resolution, the County Fire Chiefs Association, in conjunction with the San Bernardino County Fire Chiefs Emergency Medical Services Association, developed a standard countywide Safe Haven Policy to be used by participating agencies. If an infant is surrendered to firefighters, the required documentation will be completed and the infant's health will be assessed by paramedics and then transported to the nearest hospital emergency room. Standardized Newborn Surrender Packets that include necessary documentation and serialized confidential infant ID tags have been issued to participating agencies to ensure that proper procedures are followed and are uniform throughout the County. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: None. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.