MONTICELLO, Wis. — The Monticello Police Department has received a grant from The Only in Wisconsin Giving Foundation, the charitable arm of New Glarus Brewing Company, to purchase two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for deployment in patrol vehicles.

The new AEDs will strengthen the department's emergency response capabilities by allowing officers to provide potentially life-saving care to victims of sudden cardiac arrest before emergency medical personnel arrive. Medical experts say rapid defibrillation is one of the most important factors in improving survival rates during cardiac emergencies.

Monticello Police Chief Chris Regenauer said officers are frequently among the first to arrive at medical calls, making immediate access to AEDs especially valuable.