Rockwall installs first Safe Haven Baby Box at fire station

Rockwall County put its first Safe Haven Baby Box into service at the McLendon-Chisholm Fire Station, 1345 W. FM 550, the county announced on Jan. 14, 2026. The exterior, secure box gives parents in crisis an anonymous, legally sanctioned option to surrender a newborn, with trained personnel on site to provide immediate care once the infant is retrieved.

The system is designed for safety and rapid response. When a baby is placed inside the exterior compartment, an exterior door locks and an interior door allows fire station staff to access the infant from inside the building. County commissioners and local fire officials publicly thanked the community partners and donors whose support funded and enabled the installation. The county included the national helpline for parents in crisis: 1-866-99BABY1, and posted further details at rockwallcountytexas.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1019.

For Rockwall County residents, the box represents both a public-safety measure and a point of entry for social services. Placing the unit at an active fire station means trained first responders can provide immediate medical attention and connect a surrendered infant to child welfare and health services. The county framed the installation as reducing the risk of unsafe abandonments and improving outcomes for newborns whose parents are unable to care for them.

The arrival of the box also touches on policy and budget considerations for local officials. Safe Haven Baby Boxes require initial capital investment, ongoing maintenance, staff training, and coordination with social-service agencies. Locating the unit at a fire station leverages existing public safety infrastructure while ensuring rapid medical access. County leaders emphasized partner funding and donations as key to keeping direct costs off the county’s general fund.

Beyond immediate safety benefits, the box is part of a broader local-services ecosystem. For residents, the practical implications include knowing where to direct someone in crisis, and understanding that emergency responders now have a private, secure intake option. For county planners, the box will require monitoring data on usage and outcomes to inform future investments in maternal supports, mental-health resources, and family services.

The takeaway? Rockwall now has a discreet, staffed option for newborn surrender that sits where firefighters and first responders can act fast. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the national helpline at 1-866-99BABY1 or view the county notice at rockwallcountytexas.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1019 for location details. Our two cents? Keep the helpline handy and consider supporting local partners who fund safety nets before crises arrive.