(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 9, 2011) - Nine life-saving defibrillators and 41 smoke detectors will be arriving soon at Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services thanks to a donation and a grant.

The smoke detectors, donated by Atlanta Supply Co., will go to Gwinnett County residents based on a needs assessment conducted by the fire department's Community Risk Reduction Education section. The donation includes tamper-proof, photoelectric and hearing-impaired models valued at a total of more than $1,100.

The Life Pak 15 defibrillators, worth almost $270,000, will be 80 percent funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security. Commissioners agreed on Tuesday to pay the remaining 20 percent, about $54,000, from 2009 SPLOST funds for public safety. The equipment will be installed on ambulances to monitor cardiac and vital signs of advanced life support emergency patients.

Gwinnett Fire Chief Bill Myers said, "Donations and grants like these help us protect and improve public safety in our community. We are very grateful for the support."