RAPID CITY, SD – The Rapid City Fire Department is proud to announce the installation of the first Safe Haven Baby Box in the State of South Dakota. The Baby Box is located at Fire Station 1, 10 Main Street, and provides a secure, anonymous, and safe option for the surrender of a newborn in crisis situations.

The Safe Haven Baby Box Program is designed to raise awareness to prevent infant abandonment and ensure the safety of newborns while protecting a mother’s right to remain anonymous.

Once a newborn is placed inside the Baby Box and the exterior door is closed, a series of alarms are immediately triggered, notifying both on-duty firefighters inside the station and emergency dispatch. The exterior door then locks, preventing unauthorized access. First responders retrieve the infant within minutes.

The Baby Box is equipped with a thermostatically controlled heating and cooling system to maintain a safe environment. It also contains a hospital-grade bassinet specifically designed to secure and protect the infant until responders arrive.

“The goal of the Safe Haven Baby Box is simple,” said Fire Chief Jason Culberson. “To ensure the newborn is safe while allowing the parent to remain anonymous and avoid a potentially dangerous situation.”

Under South Dakota law, a parent may legally and anonymously surrender an unharmed baby up to 60 days old to an emergency services provider, or place the baby in a designated safety device. No questions are asked, and no identifying information is required.

The Rapid City Fire Department encourages community members to share this information widely. Awareness saves lives, and knowing safe options exist can make all the difference in a moment of crisis.

A ribbon cutting and blessing will take place at First Station 1 at 10 Main Street on Saturday, February 28^th at 11 a.m., several dignitaries will be present.