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SMSC donates its 900th AED

Today's donation is the second AED the Excelsior Fire District has received from the SMSC, for use in two command cars. Each AED is valued at approximately $1,450, and the SMSC currently averages about 100 AED donations annually. This is part of the tribe's extensive public safety-related giving, which in 2015 alone included $535,000 in grants to 34 public safety organizations in Minnesota and other contributions of time, vehicles and equipment. The single largest recipient of AEDs from the SMSC is the Minnesota State Patrol, which received 199 from 2006-2008, resulting in all State Patrol cars having an AED.

"Providing AEDs and other public safety donations is a crucial part of the SMSC's commitment to helping our neighbors," said SMSC Chairman Charlie Vig.

"We are so appreciative for what the SMSC does for the community as a whole," Excelsior Fire Chief Scott Gerber said. "This donation will allow us to use these crucial lifesaving tools in areas that best serve our community."

Since 2004, at least 28 lives have been saved by law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel using SMSC-donated AEDs, and many more have been saved by the SMSC's first responders using the 27 AEDs located around the reservation and tribal enterprises. AEDs are used to apply a lifesaving shock to an individual whose heart has stopped beating. It is the only known therapy for most sudden cardiac arrests.

To learn more about the SMSC's AED donation program, visit mdfire.org.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to charitable donations, community partnerships, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. Together the SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has donated more than $325 million to organizations and causes and has contributed millions more to regional governments and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services. The SMSC is the largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally and one of the largest charitable givers in Minnesota.