Fla. AMR Agencies Declared Safe Havens for Newborns

PRESS RELEASE

American Medical Response (AMR), in recognition of National Adoption Month, would like to remind the community that all of its ambulances and EMS stations serve as official safe havens for newborns throughout Miami-Dade County and Florida. Unharmed infants seven days old or younger will always be received, anonymously, and without fear of legal action, the same as any hospital or 24/7 staffed fire station under Florida’s Safe Haven Law.

In partnership with the non-profit A Safe Haven for Newborns, AMR personnel accept newborns at any of their ambulances deployed around the state—no questions asked—and provide transportation to the nearest hospital for medical care. The hospital will contact a participating adoption agency that will arrange for placement of the newborn with a waiting family.

"We are so proud to partner with this life-saving organization in providing a sanctuary for desperate mothers who want to give their baby a chance at a better life,” said Terence Ramotar, Regional Director for AMR. “Our team of highly trained EMS personnel offer compassionate medical care to mothers and newborns as well as safe transport to surrounding hospitals.”

“We are so thankful for the wonderful partnership with AMR. The Safe Haven decals placed on each ambulance will create greater awareness of this life saving program throughout Florida,” said Nick Silverio, Founder of A Safe Haven for Newborns. “Public awareness is saving lives, giving these babies a chance for a future. What is more important than saving the life of a precious, innocent newborn.”

Under the state’s Safe Haven Law, parents are allowed to leave their newborns at a fire station, a hospital emergency room or EMS stations without risk of prosecution. AMR has joined Safe Haven’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness of their mission, wrapping hundreds of ambulances in Safe Haven decals and staging them at designated locations across Miami-Dade County and throughout Florida.

“Our wrapped ambulances are easily-recognizable and fully-equipped safe spaces for any despairing parents with newborns,” added Ramotar. “We are proud of our partnership with A Safe Haven for Newborns for the organization’s important work in helping to eliminate infant abandonment and comfort mothers in crisis. Together with elected officials, community leaders and other first responders throughout Miami-Dade County and Florida, we share a common goal and a message of saving lives and providing brighter futures.”

Since its establishment, A Safe Haven for Newborns has received 290 safely-surrendered newborns across Florida while helping over 5,000 women during their time of need or crisis.