AMC Grateful for Support Following Boiler System Failure

    SARANAC LAKE – The swift and organized response to the failure of the boiler system at Adirondack Medical Center would not have been possible without the assistance of numerous agencies and individuals.
    “This is yet another shining example of North Country cooperation,” said Chandler Ralph, president and CEO of AMC.
    Once the emergency response plan was enacted, AMC staff worked quickly to prepare patients for transfer to other facilities.  These efforts were supplemented by countless showings of support from area health care facilities, ambulance services, in addition to county and state agencies.  Ambulances from roughly nine counties assisted in the efforts to transport 35 patients to other facilities.
    Pending the final outcome of the investigation, it now appears that the cause of the disruption in the boiler room was a direct result of the partial collapse of the chimney that serves as an exhaust for the two boilers used to heat the hospital portion of the medical center complex.  The Medical Center’s Emergency Department has remained open to evaluate and treat patients, transferring those that have to be admitted to a hospital.  In addition, all outpatient non-surgical services have remained open, such as x-ray, lab, and physical therapy.   The Medical Office Building containing physical rehabilitation, oncology and private physician practices remains open, and is not affected by the loss of heat.
    The partial collapse did compromise the structural integrity of the chimney, and a 25-foot portion of the structure has been removed.  In the interim, a temporary chimney or flue will be set up in order for normal boiler room operations to resume.  AMC Plant Operations personnel expect to slowly restart the boiler system tonight, and will monitor the system in case there was additional damage from the initial chimney collapse.  Earlier investigations indicate there is no damage to the boilers, but the control panels for the boilers were damaged and are in the process of being replaced.  If the system is working and has been thoroughly inspected, AMC plans to begin readmitting patients Wednesday morning.
    The initial incident took place at about 10 a.m. Sunday, and there were no injuries as a result of the chimney collapse.

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