A group of 11 Livonia firefighters got a preview of St. Mary Mercy Hospital's new South Pavilion, a 154,000-square-foot building set to open this fall. Bill Bofysil, project engineer at Granger Construction, took the group on a tour of the building's new Emergency Center and new private patient rooms under construction.

Contractor Granger Construction organized the April 18 tour as an opportunity for firefighters to walk through the building layout firsthand. Knowing the physical arrangement of areas such as exit routes, elevators or security areas helps firefighters plan before responding to an emergency. In early fall, the South Pavilion will undergo official fire and safety code inspections by the Livonia Fire Prevention Division.

“These opportunities allow our fire fighters to get a walk through a building during daylight and business hours so they can plan how their firefighter tactics and strategies play out in a 3 a.m. call,” said Tom Kiurski, training coordinator for the Livonia Fire Department.

The South Pavilion will feature a state-of-the-art Emergency Center and 80 private patient rooms designed to promote healing of mind, body and spirit. The construction project also includes converting the 90 existing semi-private patient rooms into private rooms by 2014.

“It is a privilege to work collaboratively with Livonia's emergency responders,” said David Spivey, President and CEO, St. Mary Mercy Hospital. “The new South Pavilion strengthens our commitment to serve our growing community. Friends and neighbors can look forward to the expansion of our quality care.”

For more information about the South Pavilion construction, visit stmarymercy.org/constructionupdates.