Russellville City Council approves purchase, installation of Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station One
The Russellville City Council approved plans to purchase a Safe Haven Baby Box and authorized signing a contract for monitoring services with the manufacturer at its December 15th meeting.
The Russellville Fire Department received a $25,000 donation from two local citizens who wanted to remain anonymous that will be used for the $16,500 cost to purchase and install the box at Russellville Fire Station Number One on South Jackson Avenue.
The remaining donation funds will apply to the annual $600 monitoring costs, explained RFD Captain Jeremy Glenn at Monday’s meeting. A local contractor will install the box at no cost, Glenn said.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes offer a secure option for mothers in crisis who are not able to properly care for their newborn. The boxes contain safety features and are installed on the exterior walls of fire stations and hospitals, ensuring a safe, and anonymous, surrender of a baby.
Once a newborn is placed inside the box, the exterior door locks automatically and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly and securely receive the baby. Boxes do not allow for the donor to retrieve the baby once the door is locked. Babies are under continuous video surveillance and are climate controlled 24 hours a day. The video never records or shows the donor party though.
Upon receipt of a baby, an immediate notice is sent to local fire, police and hospital officials so safe and timely care may be provided.
Alabama law allows for the safe surrender of infants with no criminal liability for the donor parent who uses a baby box.
Russellville Fire Chief Joe Mansell said it was a ‘no brained’ to participate in the Safe Haven Baby Box program when the opportunity arose.
“We’ve seen other cities do this and it works. I want to thank the mayor, city council and (City Attorney) Danny McDowell for the work that’s been done on this,” Mansell said. “A lot of good can come from this. It’s a blessing in Russellville that we believe in guns, family and God and we believe each baby deserves to live.
“They are God’s children so we owe it to them to do everything that’s right for them,” Mansell added.
Other agenda items at the council’s December 15th meeting included:
—approving a transfer of the license for Retail Beer and Table Wine (Off-Premise Consumption) requested by R&K Tobacco, Inc., d/b/a Thomas Discount Tobacco and transfer of the license for Retail Beer and Retail Table Wine (Off-Premise Consumption) and Retail Liquor (Off-Premise Consumption) Class II package received from Shree Srinivasa, LLC, 27534 Highway 24 West, the former Yogi’s Package Store location.
No input for or against the transfers was given at the public hearing held on each proposed transfer.
—approved a resolution honoring the Cotton Flats Cruisers for their community support and service, including a $500 donation to the RFD’s Helping Santa Toy Drive.
—approved a resolution to “Spend $20 on December 20th” in Russellville, asking each resident to spend at least $20 locally on December 20th to help local business.
—authorized abatement of nuisance of a structure at 414 Cotaco St. NE. The structure will be demolished and costs will be filed as a lien against the property.
—approved December 26th and January 2, 2026, as additional paid city holidays for all full-time City of Russellville employees.
The next meeting of the Russellville City Council will be January 5, 2026, with work session at 6 p.m., and meeting to follow.