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NEW ULM-- City Council approved a grant to provide ten new defibrillators for the New Ulm Police Department on Thursday.
The grant was offered by Helmsley Charitable Trust. They previously donated $6.2 million dollars to support ultrasound training across rural Minnesota, including in New Ulm. They also donated 15 automated external defibrillators (AED's) to the Brown County Sheriff's Office.
The grant is included in a package of $18.8 million dollars for more than 8,300 AED's to be distributed across Minnesota. The goal of the donations is to ensure the best in lifesaving resources are available to as many communities in Minnesota as possible.
The AED's received by the Police Department will go into each of their vehicles. The HCT will also cover future replacement of batteries, pads, and any other related equipment to ensure longevity.
The current AED's are still operational and plans are in place to give them to communities in need as soon as the new AED's arrive. City Manager Chris Dalton noted there were several communities interested.
City Councilman Les Schultz asked Police Chief David Borchert how much each of the new AED's typically cost. Borchert told him they go for around $2,700.
"Nice. That's a very nice donation." Schultz said.
"I don't have an issue with that." Councilman David Christian responded.
He then made a motion on the police grant of the defibrillators, which Councilman Eric Warmka seconded. The council approved the motion unanimously.