The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community mobile unit will be utilized by the St. Paul Fire Department during the Republican National Convention that will be held Sept. 1 through 4 in St. Paul.

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 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.

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

As many as 50,000 delegates, politicians, visitors and members of the media are expected to be in St. Paul for Republican National Convention. The mobile unit will be deployed Aug.  30 through Sept. 5.

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

“The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s mobile command vehicle is an exceptional asset for coordinating fire and EMS responders during the Republican National Convention,” said Tim Butler St. Paul Fire Chief. “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 Republican National Convention 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.” 

-- Shawn Hogendorf