Page 3 - Tennessee 811 Magazine 2021 Issue 3

from the desk of
Bill Turner
Ihope you’re enjoying the summer and the return to something more like life before the pandemic.
In my last letter, I shared that we were awaiting the governor’s signature on our bill. The governor in fact signed the bill and it took effect July 1, 2021. There is more information in this issue about the changes to the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our liaison team – they’re happy to make time to review the changes with you over a quick phone call or an in-person safety training with your crews.
I would like to give a shoutout to the staff of Tennessee 811. Our admin staff, GIS team, field liaisons, and especially our call center folks have done an outstanding job over the last 18 months. COVID certainly challenged them, but they stepped up and adapted. Finding qualified workers to join our workforce has also been a challenge in and of itself. Through innovative brainstorming, we have been able to develop new opportunities to attract team members. We’re always encouraging
more remote usage and our remote ticket entry team has done a good job of encouraging and training new users. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.
The second half of 2021 is going to be busy, so if you are needing Tennessee 811 to participate or present at any upcoming events, please let us know as soon as possible. With more businesses opening up and more people getting vaccinated, people are ready to get back at it. Trade shows and meetings that were delayed from 2020 are now being rescheduled for the fall of this year. Our violator training classes have been virtual since May of 2020, but in-person classes will resume in August and we’re already offering voluntary training off-site as requested.
Thank you all for your support and your work in damage prevention to create a safer Tennessee. Always 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.
2021, Issue 3
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