By: WROYWRUL News
Aug 15th, 2013
(Carmi)-A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for the new helipad at Phoenix Health Care in Carmi. Elastec/American Marine is funding the project, which should be complete in the next few weeks.
“They identify the need for healthcare in the city and community,” said Greg Hays, Director of Development and Program Implementation for the Phoenix Foundation. “When we first approached Elastec, they were on board with us from the beginning. That really says a lot for their company.”
The concrete helipad will measure 50 x 50 feet and will be surrounded by a protective chain-link fence. O’Daniel, Inc. of Carmi is the contractor for the work. Construction materials are being provided by Carmi Lumber. Power lines and trees have been removed by the City of Carmi to comply with clearance regulations.
Prior to the closure of Carmi Township Hospital in 2005, medical helicopters regularly landed in a nearby parking lot. Hays says the new helipad will provide safer and quicker access than the former location behind the hospital.
The Phoenix director has been instrumental in the site planning and compliance with NEMSPA guidelines for the facility. The helipad can be accessed by St. Mary’s LifeFlight, Air Evac Life Team, and Arch Air Medical Service from St. Louis.
The Phoenix Foundation of Southern Illinois, a local not-for-profit, reopened the Phoenix Rehabilitation & Nursing facility in 2008. The foundation hopes to open a ten-bed hospital and 24/7 emergency room in the former hospital. The renovation of the building continues.
Elastec/American Marine manufactures pollution control systems with a core competency in international oil spill recovery. The company is headquartered in Carmi with manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Southern Illinois and Cocoa, Florida.
