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Until now, County protocol has allowed for safe surrender at hospital emergency rooms. <br />However, in light of recent tragedies involving abandoned infants, the Alameda County Board <br />of Supervisors passed a resolution on January 22, 2005, approving all Alameda County f'n:e <br />stations as California Safe Surrender Baby Sites. In order to participate in this program, each <br />City within the County must adopt a local resolution authorizing its fire stations to become <br />designated Safe Surrender Baby Sites. <br /> <br />The Alameda County Social Services Agency, the Alameda County Fire Chiefs Association <br />and State Senator Don Perata's staff have been working collaboratively to coordinate the <br />implementation of the countywide program. This program will include developing <br />standardized procedures, public education materials and outreach. The Alameda County Fire <br />Chiefs Association has developed a procedure for fire personnel to follow when a newborn is <br />surrendered. The County Social Services Agency will provide the City with the appropriate <br />standardized signage (Attachment A) for fire stations and safe surrender kits and collaborate <br />with City public information staff to develop a public awareness message and media <br />campaign. <br /> <br />Fire stations can become designated safe surrender drop-off sites once the program is adopted <br />and staff completes proper training. Infants delivered to safe surrender sites will be examined <br />and transported to the appropriate receiving facility where custody will be transferred to <br />designated hospital personnel. Fire stations will provide a medical questionnaire and <br />information about the program to the surrendering guardian. The City's responsibility will be <br />to accept the child, provide any necessary medical intervention, arrange for immediate transfer <br />to the appropriate hospital and issue a newborn medical questionnaire, fact sheet and coded <br />wrist bracelet to the surrendering person. The coded bracelet will be used to reunite the infant <br />and parent if, during the 14-day State-implemented cooling-off period, the parent wants to <br />reclaim the baby. <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br /> <br />The fiscal impact of the proposal as it relates to implementation is negligible, as the safe <br />surrender kits and signage will be provided by the County. The personnel familiarization <br />component can be completed through the normal Fire Department training schedule with <br />minimal budget impact. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, ~ <br /> Susan Rossi Nelson Fialho <br />Fire Chief Director of Finance City Manager <br />SR 05:058 <br /> <br /> <br />