Prior Lake, Minnesota - During the Republican National Convention (RNC), the SMSC Mobile Unit will be utilized by the St. Paul Fire Department. As many as fifty thousands delegates, politicians, visitors, and members of the media are expected to be in St. Paul for the event which will be held September 1 – 4, 2008.

The Mobile Unit will actually be deployed August 30 – September 5, 2008. On July 11, 2008, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and members of his staff visited the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to meet with the Business Council and tour the Mobile Unit. They also toured the fire station and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Business Council.

“The Tribe is happy to provide emergency and safety equipment to the City of St. Paul for this important event,” said SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks.

“The City of Saint Paul would not be able to host this national event without the partnerships of our neighbors. As such, we turn to our neighbors for their generosity and assistance in helping us maintain everyone’s safety during the event,” wrote St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman in the request letter to the SMSC Business Council.

“We deeply appreciate the opportunity to utilize this sophisticated piece of equipment. Your generosity will vastly enhance our command capabilities. We are grateful for your partnership in this endeavor,” Coleman continued.

“The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Mobile Command Vehicle is an exceptional asset for coordinating fire and EMS responders during the RNC,” said St. Paul Fire Chief Tim Butler. He added, “The City of St. Paul and the St. Paul Fire Department are deeply indebted to the SMSC for the loan of the command vehicle and for their support of RNC preparations. I look forward to continuing the close and long-lasting partnership that has been created between our communities by the very generous loan of this vehicle.”

The Mobile Unit was introduced at the 2007 SMSC Annual Wacipi where it was utilized as the event command center. It has an emergency response component which includes radio, telephone, satellite, and visual recording of the emergency scene as a part of the command center functions that will be used as needed. As an Incident Command Unit, it has space and technical capabilities for tactical planning to be used to coordinate services in case of a large-scale emergency.

"The emergency response component of this unit allows the SMSC to help out in the event of a local or regional crisis," said SMSC Emergency Services Director Jim Muelken. "We are always looking at ways to be of assistance to the larger community if we are needed. The RNC is a great opportunity for us to help."

The Mobile Unit is also fitted to function as a Mobile Clinic. It has two radiology suites, one for mammography and one for chest x-rays. The remainder of the Mobile Unit is fitted with a laboratory to screen patients for prostate cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses. As a Mobile Clinic it has traveled to seven Indian reservations, the urban Minneapolis American Indian community, and the Shakopee Women’s Prison for health screening events.

For more information about the emergency response component of the Mobile Clinic contact SMSC Emergency Services Director Jim Muelken at 952-233-1077. For more information about the health component of the Mobile Clinic contact Mobile Clinic Coordinator Christine Michael at 952-233-2964.

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