Medtronic Joins International Association of Fire Chiefs to Honor Top Fire & Emergency Service Officers

Business Wire, May 5, 2004

News Editors/Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

Fire-Rescue Med Show

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2004

Michigan and District of Columbia Fire and EMS Departments Among

Those Receiving Awards

Emergency medical personnel were honored for their dedication and achievements last week during the annual Fire-Rescue Med Show in Las Vegas. Medtronic, the leading manufacturer of external defibrillators and other medical devices, sponsored both the Heart Safe Community and James O. Page awards that were presented to outstanding members of fire and emergency medical service (EMS) departments who have helped save lives due to their tireless leadership and innovation.

"We believe it is important to recognize those who embrace and act on their dedication to saving lives," said Robert White, president of Medtronic's Emergency Response Systems business unit. "We commend these organizations and individuals for making their communities safer places to live."

The Heart Safe Community Award applauds fire and EMS departments that have made a difference in their communities by creating or promoting public access defibrillation (PAD) programs. This year's recipients were the Bloomfield Township, Michigan Fire Department and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Both have implemented PAD programs in their areas as well as continuously providing education for their residents about the need for PAD.

This year's James O. Page award was presented to the International Association of Fire Chief's Executive Director Garry L. Briese, CAE. The award is presented to an individual who has played a key role in creating or promoting non-clinical innovation and achievements in fire service management. The award is named for James O. Page who has been a visionary and national leader in fire service EMS for more than three decades. Briese has served as the association's executive director for 19 years. Prior to his current position, he spent the previous 15 years as the executive director of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians. He has over 30 years of experience in the fire service, 29 years as a volunteer and one year as a paid firefighter.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs' EMS section determines the award criteria, reviews the applicants and selects the recipients of these awards. These awards were first presented in 2001.

Medtronic's Emergency Response Systems business unit located in Redmond, Wash., pioneered defibrillation technology nearly 50 years ago. With 450,000 LIFEPAK defibrillators distributed worldwide, Medtronic is the world's leading provider of external defibrillators for the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. To find out more about Medtronic Emergency Response Systems, go to www.medtronic-ers.com or call 1-800-442-1142.

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. For more information about Medtronic, visit www.medtronic.com or call 1-800-328-2518.

Any statements made about the company's anticipated financial results and regulatory approvals are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 25, 2003. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.