Page 3 - Tennessee 811 Magazine 2020 Issue 4

from the desk of
Bill Turner
The theme of this issue is “Working Together”. As I reflect on how this contributes to what Tennessee811 does, I realize it is everything that
we do. The whole concept of a one-call service is based on working together. Prior to the existence of one-call, excavators and utilities worked independent of each other. An excavator had to know what utilities were in the area and then contact them individually to inform them of the excavation plans. Creating a one-call system eliminated the need for an excavator to guess what utilities had facilities in the area and made it much easier to inform them of the excavation with one single phone call.
As the idea of one-call has evolved, we have continued to build on our foundations of working together. On the state level, we have created utility coordination groups to work together on local issues and coordinate efforts as it relates to damage prevention. We work together with excavators to spread the importance of calling 811 and practicing safe digging. When the time comes to improve our state’s Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act (TCA § 65-31-101 et seq.), we work together with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone’s interests are heard and understood.
Tennessee811 is always working together with other states’ 811 centers. In 1997, we collaborated with the one-call systems for Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas to form a partnership called Progressive Partnering, Inc. and develop the software (GeoCall) used to process locate requests in our call centers. The value of this partnership has enabled us to expand the network to 12 one-call programs working together. In addition to sharing ideas, we also assist and help each other in times of need. If one of our state 811 programs is out of service for any reason (weather or other disaster), other states work together to cover the impacted state’s call volume and assist in getting them back in business.
Working together: it is our purpose and what defines us as an 811 center.
Thank you for making Tennessee a safer place and remember to Call or Click 811 Before You Dig.
Respectfully,
William “Bill” Turner President Tennessee811
Mission Statement
To Provide the
Best Communication, Education and Notification Service to Facilitate Damage Prevention to Underground Utilities.
2020, Issue 4
Tennessee811 • 1