Tim Welsh has known this for 17 of his 27 Perry years and is the master of Perry’s boiler and generator technology which powers the service to patient care.  Perry boilers create the steam which produces the hospital’s vital need for  hot water to heat and sterilize equipment.  Generators provide electrical back up when the city loses power.  Tim said, “We cannot have a hospital without either one. I am the ‘Emergency’ Operations Department. ”

“I have learned how to ensure the boiler and generator systems work at full capacity through experience and learning lessons along the way,” said Tim. Perry boilers are estimated to between 40 to 45 years old and to keep them running at 84% efficiency, Tim tests the boilers cooling towers every day called a blow down and adjusts the boiler bellies to release and dissolve the solids that have accumulated at the bottom of the boiler.  Every spring and fall the boilers are shut down for semi-annual service.

Tim shuts down each boiler one at a time for 1 ½ weeks each.  He evaluates the tubes, replaces gaskets and climbs through a three-foot fire tube cleaning every nook and cranny for accumulated soot.  Yes, a three- foot tube, not an easy task by any means.    Tim is a one man department and gets the job done right every time. 

Tim’s efforts do not go unnoticed.  Perry receives compliments yearly during their ICAHN visit with having one of the cleanest boiler/generator operations within the State of Illinois.  Tim’s enjoys what he does and is proud of his mechanical skill ability to keep Perry boiler and generator operations working at their highest capacity.  It takes a village from the ground up to provide quality Perry health care.   Tim’s skills and passion keeps Perry humming!