The proposed baby box would sit on the west side, or Cleveland Street side, of fire station 2.

WARSAW — During the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory meeting held yesterday, Nov. 13, fire station 2 was slated to be the best location for a proposed baby box.

Fire Station 2, 2204 E. Center St., was chosen as the location due to its close proximity to the both Warsaw hospitals. The baby box will be installed on the west side of the building, off of Cleveland Street. This will allow some privacy to anyone who wished to use the baby box. This also places the baby box access point inside the fire station’s day room, which means it will have almost constant surveillance by firefighters.

When a baby is placed in the baby box, an audible alarm will sound. An electronic alert will also be sent to central dispatch, who will be able to alert the proper authorities quickly. With the alert going through central dispatch, this will also ensure that someone will respond to the baby if fire station 2 crews are out on an emergency call.

The Safe Haven Baby Box has been completely funded by a group of local citizens. They have also funded a baby box for Syracuse. There are currently three Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Indiana. If both of Kosciusko County’s are approved, there will be five.

“I think the community has pretty much given their support for this,” said Warsaw Maor Joseph Thallemer. “I haven’t heard anything negative locally. The group that’s organized this has raised the funds so as long as the expectations are spelled out, it’s safe, the liabilities are minimal, I’m certainly for this.”

Attorney Andrew Grossnickle pointed out that state statute states that the baby box be located at a fire department staffed by emergency medical service providers 24/7, is located in an area easily noticeable by staff and includes a dual alarm system that is tested once a month.

Fire Chief Mike Wilson noted that most staff members are advanced EMTs. There was some question as to the testing and maintenance of the baby box. Wilson stated that the baby box could easily be added to their weekly equipment checks. But it was not clear who would be in charge of maintenance moving forward.

“We as a fire service hope it never gets used,” said Wilson. “But here’s an opportunity to provide something in the effect that it has to be used.”

It was noted at the end of the meeting that Joe Streeter is no longer a board member due to moving out of the district. A new board member will be decided upon at the December meeting. A recognition of Streeter’s service on the board will also occur in December.

The board approved setting the location of the proposed baby box as station 2, subject to an agreement that spells out the responsibilities regarding maintenance.

In other news:

• The board tabled a request to purchase INMAR Rescue Boat, which would be used by the swift water rescue team. Thallemer requested more time to talk to the Warsaw Police Department Dive Team as they have an identical boat.
• The annual service agreement with Pro-Air was approved.
• A monitored security system agreement for fire station 3 was approved.
• Line 2 cuts for the 2018 budget were approved for $157,000. This was money not spent during the year which will go back into their appropriated accounts.
• The next meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.
• The January 2019 meeting has been moved from Tuesday, Jan. 1 to Wednesday, Jan. 2.