Employee Focus

Working together in an elaborate coordination effort, the CMI crew prides itself in having the knowledge, experience, manpower, organization and team work required to work out the details of space planning and installation as the massive Community Hospital project comes together.

"There are a lot of people to keep happy on this project," states CMI Project Manager Vijay Singh, who has been working at the Community Hospital site for more than three years. The owners, general contractor, rigorous inspectors from OSHPD and numerous subcontractors all count on CMI to put the guts of this elaborate hospital systems together.

CMI crew members agree that organization, constant communication and team work are all vital when it comes to an installation of this size. "Despite the many challenges we've come across in both the design and installation process, our coordinating efforts have helped make this job run very smoothly," CMI Project Engineer Andrew Rooney states. Andrew says that the CMI team has come up with channels of communication that provide efficient routes to answers, no matter what the problem.

"The foremen we have on this job are very experienced and knowledgeable," Andrew says. "I think the whole crew feels confident in our ability out here. We have the right man power and the right people on site."

As general foreman, one of Tim Westjohn's jobs is to make sure that all coordinated plans are installed correctly and that the installation is done properly. He admits that things are often hectic, but he admires the CMI crew's ability to get the job done. "When the space is as tight as it is on this job, proper sequencing is imperative," Tim explains. "Once we go in and install our duct work there are areas where we are basically closing off access to anything above the duct, which means that we do our best to make sure the other trades that go in above us are completely finished first."

CMI leads the effort in coordination between the trades and takes pride in providing the most cost-effective answers to tough design questions. "Consideration for the needs of the other trades is a big part of every solution," states Armando Gaerlan, CMI piping detailer who, along with detailer Joe Bello, worked hard to solve many problems discovered when first given the original plans. Making sure the other subs are satisfi ed is a big part of CMI's job.

Armando explains that the complexity of this design means that there are bound to be problems when it comes to the installation. "We know it might take some time to iron out some of the bigger problems, but we keep in mind that there is always a solution."

Maintaining a positive attitude is a common trait among the Community Hospital crew. Tim understands, more than most, how difficult this can be at times. "It can be really frustrating to the guys when we've communicated and coordinated and still something goes wrong with the sequencing." Tim says that despite the occasional frustration, the crew does a good job of keeping everything in perspective. The crew's good sense of humor also helps, he says.

"We all work hard on our individual jobs, but the CMI crew also works very well together as a team, and we stand out because of this," Tim says.

Hats off to the hard working crew at the Community Hospital building site. Just think, the whole process will be a good memory--in just a few more years. All four phases of construction at Community Hospital are expected to be complete by 2008.