For Immediate Release
December 19, 2001
Contact: Maria E. Ramos
(219) 865-2141, ext. 45321
Maria.Ramos@ssfhs.org

Hammond, Ind–The heliport atop Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers’ new parking garage received FAA approval Monday to land two helicopters simultaneously. In the event of a disaster, the heliport also can accommodate military or coast guard transports.

Saint Margaret Mercy’s parking garage is the first elevated garage in the area directly connected to a hospital heliport. Emergency Room treatment is available within 25 feet of the heliport offering what could be lifesaving minutes for victims.

Edward Shultz, vice president of Engineering and Construction Services for Saint Margaret Mercy, said, "The hospital worked closely with the City of Hammond in the construction of the parking garage and heliport. We passed the building and fire code inspections Tuesday and will be officially open for service on Wednesday, Dec. 19."

Hammond Fire Chief Marty Del Rio said, "The heliport on the new parking garage improves the efficiency of the fire department and enhances the response time for hospital and fire personnel.

"Prior to the new heliport, the Hammond Fire Department would send an ambulance and a rig to meet an incoming helicopter, four blocks from the hospital. We’d transport the medical crew by ambulance to the Emergency Room where they would stabilize the patient. The ambulance would then go back to the parked helicopter for airlifting the patient.

"Sometimes we would need to tie up a rig for a long period of time," Del Rio added. Manpower can now be dedicated to other emergency calls."

Finishing touches on the new parking garage will be complete by the end of the month. Begun last May, the construction project is expected to improve patient satisfaction by alleviating limited parking availability during heavy visiting hours.

Hammond Mayor Duane Dedelow commended hospital officials on the project: "In their planning, they not only addressed existing parking concerns, they also made sure construction fit in with the development of Hammond’s downtown area."

Added features of the new parking garage include:

• Three enclosed, well-lit levels with a parking capacity of 300 spaces for handicapped patrons, patients/visitors and physicians with over 50 additional spaces directly adjacent to the garage that service the Emergency Department.
• Direct connection to the hospital.
• A façade complementary to the hospital’s exterior, with simulated limestone and brick.
• Stainless steel grill work in place of exposed cabling.
• Increased ventilation by using above average deck-to-deck height.
• A dry fire-suppression system equipped for foam delivery and hook-ups for the fire department.
• Cameras monitoring every floor.
• Emergency telephones, power and lighting.

Beneath the prefabricated walls, workers performed modifications and improvements, including moving drainage, power, sprinklers and other utilities.

The elevator shaft has lugs, as do other pieces, made of stainless steel to allow for years of low maintenance at the connection points. The concrete is also dyed to match the limestone features of the existing building. The dying is used to prevent chipping and peeling, further reducing maintenance.

Hutton and Hutton Architects and Engineers served as architects for the project; Tonn and Blank Construction served as contractors.