NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville, is encouraging local volunteer fire departments to secure Safe Haven Baby Boxes through a state grant fund. Following discussions between Hill and the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Division of Fire Prevention, the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training (VFEAT) grant program will now allow eligible […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville, is encouraging local volunteer fire departments to secure Safe Haven Baby Boxes through a state grant fund.
Following discussions between Hill and the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Division of Fire Prevention, the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training (VFEAT) grant program will now allow eligible fire departments and rescue squads to request funds for life-saving baby boxes.
“Safe Haven Baby Boxes offer mothers a compassionate and confidential way to surrender their newborn,” said Hill. “The addition of these devices in the VFEAT grant program will be crucial in eliminating unsafe abandonment of infants in Tennessee. I’m grateful to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for this important development and I look forward to the program’s expansion across the Volunteer State.”
Since 2001, Tennessee’s Safe Haven law has allowed mothers in certain cases to surrender their newborns without fear of being prosecuted. More than 140 infants have been safely surrendered since the law took effect.
Under current law, mothers can surrender their unharmed newborn up to 45 days after childbirth at hospitals, birthing centers, community health clinics, walk-in clinics, EMS facilities, 24-hour fire and law enforcement facilities and in newborn safety devices. In 2024, lawmakers added participating emergency communication centers and certain nursing homes to the list of approved locations.
In addition to baby boxes, VFEAT grants can help purchase firefighting equipment to extinguish fires and protect the lives of firefighters, not including fire trucks or vehicles. Funds can also be used to help departments pay or reimburse the cost share for federal grants that have already been awarded.
“The VFEAT and Rescue Squad grant programs are helping provide badly needed equipment upgrades across Tennessee’s Three Grand Divisions,” said TDCI Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Mike Bell. “As part of the program, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are available for purchase. I encourage Tennessee volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members to contact our team with their questions about the programs so they can successfully apply for funding in 2026.”
Eligible fire departments must hold a valid recognition from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and have a staff comprised of less than 50% full-time career firefighters. The application window for the grant program will open in November. The VFEAT program was created in 2019 through legislation approved by the General Assembly. It is administered by the TDCI and the SFMO.
For more information about the grant program, visit: www.tn.gov/commerce/fire/departments/grant-opportunities.
State Rep. Timothy Hill represents District 3 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes Johnson and part of Carter, Hawkins and Sullivan counties.