Mobile Safe Places now include fire department vehicles

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Clay Fire Territory and the Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County announced on Thursday they will introduce Mobile Safe Place sites.

The mobile sites are part of an effort to reach and assist more young people.

More than 70 vehicles across 7 fire departments will display Safe Place stickers, indicating to kids that they can get help.

Clay Fire officials say that when a vehicle is approached, the crew will notify Safe Station of their location. Someone from Safe Station will then arrive on the scene.

The fire department will notify 911 dispatch that they are on a citizen assist and are put out of service until the situation is resolved.

Clay Fire Territory Fire Marshal Dave Cherrone believes that the mobile sites will improve child safety and assistance.

“By having fire apparatus be mobile safe place sites, we dramatically increase the ability to reach those kids who may need help but not be close to a stationary safe place,” Cherrone said in a press release.

The Youth Service Bureau coordinates the Safe Place program locally and runs a youth shelter in St. Joseph County that is open every day and at all hours.