As a premier provider of specialized helicopter services, Fair Lifts has once again demonstrated its expertise and commitment to excellence. Our team completed a highly complex and significant project in Boston, involving the installation of an Emergency Back Up Generator at the McCormick building, a crucial hub for Boston’s emergency services. The generator, with a total weight of 60,000 pounds, was lifted in 10 sections, each weighing between 8 and 15 thousand pounds. This task was far from ordinary, but our team’s dedication and professionalism ensured its successful completion.
Choosing a Helicopter Lift: A Solution to Logistical Challenges
The decision to use a helicopter for this lift was born out of the unique logistical challenges presented by the location. The McCormick building, towering at a height of 401 ft, is nestled in an area where the narrow roads and limited space made the use of a crane unfeasible. This situation called for an innovative solution, and our team at Fair Lifts rose to the occasion, leveraging our expertise in helicopter lifts to overcome these challenges.
Extensive Preparation and Rigorous Safety Measures
At Fair Lifts, safety is our top priority. To ensure the safety of the public and the protection of surrounding structures, we undertook extensive preparations. We constructed a secure fencing perimeter around the courtyard at the state building, creating a staging area to keep the public at a safe distance. Police and fire departments were strategically stationed at every intersection within a two-block radius to manage traffic and ensure public safety. Furthermore, we took extra precautions to protect the city’s heritage, covering all statues on the state courthouse to shield them from the helicopter’s downwash.
Efficient Timing and Seamless Coordination
The helicopter lift was meticulously planned for a weekend to minimize disruption to the city’s operations, considering the necessary closure of the courthouse and the McCormick building. Despite the complexity of the task, our team’s efficiency and coordination ensured that the lift was completed in just 3 hours. This remarkable feat was achieved from the moment the helicopter attached to the first unit until the last unit was securely placed.
Coordination with the city, municipalities, and the governor’s office was a significant aspect of this project. This process, which took 2 years, extended due to Covid restrictions, was crucial to ensure all necessary permissions and safety measures were in place. Our team worked tirelessly, navigating through the bureaucratic processes and Covid-related challenges, demonstrating our commitment to the project’s success.
Public Engagement and Successful Project Completion
The sight of a helicopter lifting massive pieces of the generator was a spectacle that drew crowds of curious onlookers. Despite the public attention, our team remained focused on the task at hand, ensuring the operation’s smooth execution. The project, a major operation requiring a lot of caution, was completed successfully, with the backup generator now secured on top of the McCormick Building.
This project stands as a testament to Fair Lifts’ capabilities in managing and executing complex helicopter lifts and it was covered by WCVB News in Boston. We are immensely proud to have been part of this significant project, contributing to the safety and resilience of Boston’s emergency services. Our team’s dedication, professionalism, and expertise were key to the project’s success, reinforcing our position as a leading provider of specialized helicopter services.