NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer and Jessica Flax with the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System announced Monday a partnership between the two groups to save babies through giving new parents that feel they must give up an infant a safe place to do that. That place is called a Hope's Cradle.
"We were trying to find a partner in town that had the same vision and mission as us, as a fire department," Beer said. "I got talking to Chris Cooper over at the hospital, he's like, man, this would be a great program for us. One thing led to another, we had, I don't know how many meetings and the partnership started off from there and we're both on the same page and ready to launch this program to the community."
There will be two Hope's Cradle locations in Hutchinson, at Hutchinson Fire stations.
"We're looking to raise $50,000 for two fire stations," Beer said. "The stations that we have picked out right now are Fire Station 3 on the south end of town, located at 100 East Avenue E and the second location will be at the new Fire Station."
The new station is at 23rd and Main on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. This has been made possible through the update of the statute regarding giving up babies at fire stations.
"The old law from 2007 allowed the parent 45 days to make that decision," Beer said. "Under the new law, the parent has 60 days to make that decision for the baby to be dropped off at a fire station. I think the biggest part is to get these Hope's Cradles into locations where that baby is 100% safe."
Once the money is raised and the cradles are installed, when that baby is placed in the cradle, the door will lock and an immediate page will go out to that fire station and to 911 to let them know there is a baby to be picked up.
If you would like to donate, you can take cash to any Hutchinson Fire Station. If you need to donate in another manner, you can call Flax at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation at (620) 665-2419.
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