Happy Fire Prevention Day!
Indiana 811 proudly presents this issue of The Dirt Newsletter on Fire Prevention Day. In recognition of the holiday, we remind Indiana homeowners and professional excavators to contact 811 two full working days before digging to protect themselves from unintentionally striking buried utilities, which could lead to a number of risk factors, including gas leaks that can sometimes serve as a fuel source for major fires. Today, Indiana 811 continues its commitment to damage prevention and salutes the emergency responder professionals and partners who help ensure safety in our communities every day.
Positive Response Launches Across Indiana
Earlier this year, Indiana 811 launched the centralized Positive Response notification system. Designed to ease the pre-dig process and improve communication between excavators and utility owners, this valuable tool is another step in modernizing the 811 Before You Dig Process in Indiana.
Many of our larger facility operators and contract locating firms are already notifying excavators via Positive Response, and many excavators are already taking advantage of the benefits this system offers. The Positive Response system alerts excavators when a locate has been either marked via one of several methods or cleared for safe excavation.
Excavators access Positive Response through the Web Ticket Entry page on the Indiana 811 website. They then enter their ticket and phone number, at which point the Positive Response information will populate.
We strongly encourage all Indiana 811 members who are not already using Positive Response to get signed up today. Please contact Indiana 811 Member Services to get all of the details and start taking part in the program.
Easier Digging? Plan on it!
Indiana 811’s new Design Tool Inquiry and Design Tickets help project designers better plan their work to avoid buried facilities well before a project’s excavator submits a locate request ticket.
The Design Tool Inquiry helps project planners as they are trying to determine a scope of work, perhaps during the project bid phase. This process must be completed online, and there are no restrictions on linear feet. The resulting deliverable from member facility operators is an informal exchange of information, usually via email.
Design Tickets are more specific than a Design Tool Inquiry and work best after an inquiry has been processed. These tickets may be processed online or by phone and are restricted by the same linear footage rules that apply to excavation tickets. Member facility operators or their representatives have 10 full working days to respond.
Please note that for either of these planning options, an excavator must submit a traditional locate request ticket before digging with care. Learn more by clicking here.
New Locate Request Footage Requirements Now in Effect
The Indiana 811 Board of Directors recently approved a series of policy changes regarding footage limits, one of the key pieces of data required to submit a locate request. These new policies went into effect on Oct. 1 and are as follows:
- One ticket may be entered for one or both sides of the road for 1,500 feet within an incorporated area (city/town/subdivision), and 2,640 feet in an unincorporated area.
- One ticket may have as many addresses as desired that fall within the above-mentioned limits, provided the addresses are on the same road.
- A field, or undeveloped land, must be broken up into sections no larger than 1,500 feet by 1,500 feet within an incorporated area, and 2,640 feet by 2,640 feet in an unincorporated area.
For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact Indiana 811 Member Services.
Get Ready to Go Retro at the 2018 MWDPTC!
The 2018 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference (MWDPTC) is only one month away, which means time is running out if you have not yet registered. In addition to an all new slate of sessions, the return of popular networking events (Golf, Horseback Riding & The Turkey Shoot), and a sold-out exhibit hall, attendees can also look forward to the MWDPTC’s themed Welcome Reception, sponsored by UtiliQuest, LLC.
The theme for this year’s Welcome Reception is the “811 Classic at French Lick,” and it will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 5-7 p.m. Attendees are invited to show their passion for 811 by dressing in a retro-damage-prevention theme. In celebration of our company start date of October 5th, 1981, get creative and wear a period costume (1970s/1980s), or wear your favorite, vintage or most memorable 811-themed apparel for a chance to participate in this year’s costume contest. If you have not already done so, visit www.midwest811conference.com to register and to learn more about the 2018 MWDPTC.
Indiana 811 Concludes First-Ever “I Dig Summer” Contest
After a busy dig season this summer, Indiana 811 wrapped its first-ever “I Dig Summer” Contest, which encouraged excavators to use the Indiana 811 Web Ticket Entry system rather than calling 811. Participants avoided potentially long telephone hold times by submitting 253,329 utility locate requests online during this period. Through their participation, they were given the chance to win a two-night conference package to the 2018 MWDPTC, as well as monetary prizes totaling $1,400. Excavators throughout the region have been selected as winners and will be announced in the next issue of The Dirt Newsletter.
Indiana 811 Celebrates 8/11 Day
On Aug. 11, which is 8/11 on the calendar, Indiana 811, damage prevention partners, and the greater Hoosier community participated in various events to recognize the importance of contacting 811 before digging. Read on to learn more about how the state celebrated the damage prevention holiday!
Indiana Celebrates 8/11 Day with Local Media
In the week leading up to 8/11 Day, Indiana 811 staff and volunteers from NIPSCO and Vectren delivered 811-themed cakes to radio stations in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Evansville. The deliveries helped spread the 811 message, resulting in on-air coverage on Indianapolis station 104.5 FM, as well as social media coverage from 96.3 FM in Fort Wayne and online coverage from WNDU-TV in South Bend.
Home Runs with Indiana 811
On Aug. 11, Indiana 811 participated in celebratory events and giveaways at minor league baseball stadiums across Indiana. A ceremonial first pitch by John Scott from Citizens Energy Group kickstarted the Indianapolis Indians game, the Fort Wayne Tin Caps featured a post-game fireworks display, a mini locker figurine was distributed to the first 1,000 fans at the South Bend Cubs game, and free popcorn was given out to the first 811 fans through the Evansville Otters stadium gates. Indiana 811 representatives and partners were also present at each game and gave away glow-in-the-dark bracelets to more than 10,000 baseball fans.
Light the Indianapolis Night with 811
To conclude 8/11 Day, IPL illuminated the outside of its downtown Indianapolis headquarters with the 811 safety message. Large crowds on Monument Circle could see the display throughout the evening.
INPAA CORNER
Indiana Firehouses Win Big by Promoting Safe Digging
Once again, the Indiana Pipeline Awareness Association (INPAA) hosted its annual Firehouse 811 Contest, which encouraged local emergency responders to promote safe digging during the spring. Fire stations throughout Indiana participated in the contest and submitted photos of their signs, marquees and social media posts that reminded Hoosiers to contact Indiana 811 before any digging projects. Grand prizes of $200 were awarded for most creative, best 811 messaging and best social media post, and two all-inclusive packages to the 2018 MWDPTC were awarded to the overall grand prize winner. All other contest participants received a $50 donation to their organization. This year’s winners are listed below:
- Most Creative – Denver Volunteer Fire Department and Hoagland Fire and EMS
- Best 811 Messaging – Pipe Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department
- Best Social Media Post – Carmel Fire Department
- Grand Prize Winner – Pennville Volunteer Fire Department
Indiana 811 and INPAA would like to thank all of the stations for their participation and help in promoting safe digging throughout their communities.
Don’t Miss the INPAA Winter Tour
Mark your calendars now for the 2019 INPAA annual safety training sessions, which will return this winter. INPAA presents another series of two-hour sessions that will give emergency service professionals an opportunity to hone their skills and knowledge about pipeline safety, while also earning two continuing education unit (CEU) credits. Find the 2019 schedule below and save the date for when a training session is coming to a town near you. Registration will begin in December.
Jan. 14 – Middlebury at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 – Plymouth at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 – Michigan City at noon
Jan. 17 – Merrillville at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 – West Lafayette at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 – Kokomo at noon
Jan. 24 – Wabash at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 – Fort Wayne at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 – Muncie at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 – Indianapolis at noon
Jan. 31 – Danville at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 – Covington at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 – Terre Haute at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 7 – Bloomington at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 – Richmond at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 – Aurora at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 – Starlight at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 – Odon at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 20 – Huntingburg at 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 – Evansville at 5:30 p.m.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that Indiana 811 was at the Indiana State Fair, in partnership with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission? This summer, Indiana 811 ran a nostalgic ad campaign throughout the fairgrounds, which reminded families about the importance of digging safely while featuring memorable scenes and moments at the fair. The ads were located throughout the fairgrounds on the fair gondola cars and hand sanitizer stands. Additionally, the 811 message was featured on interactive free-standing kiosks that educated fair attendees about how the 811 system works.