Welcome New Executive Director Dan Lucarelli!
Earlier this summer, Indiana 811 extended a very warm welcome to Dan Lucarelli as the new Executive Director of Underground Safety Alliance (USA), the umbrella organization for Indiana and Kentucky 811. Dan hails from Pennsylvania One Call Center (PA One Call) and joins the USA team with over 30 years of experience in the damage prevention industry. Prior to his new role, he served as the director of marketing and education at PA One Call, providing direction and support for underground excavation and building advocacy and educational campaigns to promote the safe digging message throughout the commonwealth. He is also the co-founder of the One-Call industry’s “Mark-it! Madness,” a coalition of marketing professionals working to grow individual best practices into best practices for the industry.
Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Business Administration from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a frequent speaker at the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Expo and Conference and has been a featured author for “Excavation Safety Guide & Directory” and “dp-PRO” magazine. Dan also serves as an active a member of CGA, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the American Marketing Association and the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society.
Please join us in welcoming Dan to the USA team!
Skip the Hold Times: “I Dig Summer!”
Save time and go online with the “I Dig Summer” contest! Back for a second year, Indiana and Kentucky 811’s “I Dig Summer” contest encourages excavators to manage utility locate requests online through the Web Ticket Entry system. Summer’s longer days make for one of the busiest seasons for excavation in Indiana and Kentucky, which means if you’ve called us recently, you may have noticed longer than usual hold times. By participating in the contest and submitting a request online, excavators will not only save time, but will also be entered to win a two-night conference package to the 2019 MWDPTC and cash prizes in the form of Visa gift cards. All new Web Ticket Entry users will also receive a free “I Dig Summer” t-shirt!
The summer is young and there is still time to participate in the 2019 “I Dig Summer” contest. Submit your online tickets through Sept. 4, 2019 for your chance to win! For more information on contest rules, click here.
Farewell to Chuck Muller
Don’t adjust your screen, you aren’t seeing double! Pictured are two photographs of Chuck Muller, Indiana 811 Director of Member & Public Relations, taken 24 years ago on his first day of work at Indiana 811 and on his last day, June 28th. Over the years, many have come to know Chuck through his dedication and passion for damage prevention throughout the Hoosier State. As he retires this summer, we thank him for his many years of steadfast service to the 811 mission. And don’t worry, you still have a chance to run into Chuck again as he continues supporting the damage prevention industry through his new role at MetroNet.
2019 MWDPTC to Welcome Two Influential Speakers to the Stage
Indiana and Kentucky 811 are proud to announce two prominent keynote speakers to be featured at the 2019 MWDPTC.
Chief Richard Picciotto, the highest ranked firefighter to survive the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, will kick off the conference as the 2019 MWDPTC keynote speaker. In a moving and riveting speech, Chief Picciotto will put this historical event into perspective and offer valuable lessons on leadership, preparation and quick decision making in the face of a crisis. Chief Picciotto was the New York City Fire Department chief and battalion commander in Lower Manhattan on 9/11 and previously served as a New York City police officer, fire marshal, arson investigator and lieutenant. The decorated leader will share his captivating speech on Thursday, Nov. 7, and his testimonial is sure to inspire damage prevention professionals and emergency responders across our industry.
To follow, safety coach David Sarkus will present a compelling message as the 2019 MWDPTC featured lunch speaker. David’s content-rich speech, sprinkled with humor and impactful storytelling, will move audience members to be safer and more productive damage prevention professionals. As a safety professional, David has won several honors, is endorsed by some of the most respected professionals in the safety industry, and is the featured author of “The Safety Coach: Unleash the 7C’s for World Class Safety Performance!” With over 30 years of experience as a safety speaker, David provides a value and impact that promotes improved teamwork and positive changes in the workplace
Be a Life Saver with the 2019 MWDPTC
ndiana and Kentucky 811 have announced the 2019 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference (MWDPTC) theme – “Be a Damage Prevention Life Saver!” Damage prevention professionals not only prevent underground utility damage, but also play a vital role in the safety and lives of families and communities in the Midwest region and beyond. Get ready for a variety of sessions at the 2019 MWDPTC that will remind all partners in the industry – from locators, to excavators, to emergency responders – that their hard work and partnerships save lives.
Don’t wait to reserve your spot! Registration is now open for the 2019 MWDPTC, taking place Wednesday, Nov. 6 through Friday, Nov. 8 at the historic French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. Visit www.midwest811conference.com to learn more and register today!
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Apply for a 2019 MWDPTC Scholarship!
Are you a damage prevention professional who has never attended the Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference? Now’s your chance with the 2019 MWDPTC Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). You won’t want to miss out on this program that will award 115 first-time conference attendees with a complimentary two-night conference package. Over the years, the scholarship program has given hundreds of locators, contractors, emergency responders and more the opportunity to attend the Midwest region’s top damage prevention conference.
“I greatly appreciate the scholarship program as it allows myself, as a small contractor, to attend.”
– 2018 MWDPTC Scholarship Recipient.
“In my organization, we do not have a lot of extra funds for things like this, so getting to attend the conference and be a part of it has been great.” – 2017 MWDPTC Scholarship Recipient.
Don’t miss your chance – apply by August 15, 2019 to be considered for the 2019 MWDPTC Scholarship Program! It’s open to all damage prevention professionals who work in Indiana, with preference given to those who have never attended the conference. To apply now, go to www.811scholarships.com. For more information about the 2019 MWDPTC or its scholarship program, visit www.midwest811conference.com or contact Mary Patricia Kindt at mpkindt@usa811.org.
New Indiana Bill Impacts Excavation Contractor Filings
A new bill recently went into effect that will change processes for excavation contractor filings and documentation of compliance with underground facility damage law. The Indiana House Enrolled Act 1487 repeals the law that required contractors to submit a statement to the Indiana Secretary of State indicating that the contractor would comply with the Indiana 811 law. In addition, contractors no longer need to provide a statement to a communication service provider or utility before contracting with them. To view the new bill in its entirety, click here.
Indiana 811 on the Road
Indiana 811 works tirelessly to spread the safe digging message across the state of Indiana and beyond. Check out all the places Indiana 811 has traveled over the past two months for damage prevention-related presentations, conferences, media interviews, community events and more!
5/3/2019 – City of Rensselaer Open House, Rensselaer, Ind.
5/22/2019 – Indianapolis Colts Fan Fest in Bedford, Ind.
6/5/2019 – Indianapolis Colts Fan Fest in Muncie, Ind.
6/12/19-6/13/19 – PHMSA Public Awareness Workshop in Washington, D.C.
6/13/2019 – Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association Conference, Michigan City, Ind.
6/27/2019 – INPAA First Responder Roundtable, Indiana 811 Call Center, Greenwood, Ind.
INPAA CORNER
2019 INPAA Firehouse Marquee Contest Winners Announced!
Winners of the 10th annual INPAA Firehouse Marquee Contest, hosted by Indiana Pipeline Awareness Association (INPAA) and Indiana 811, have been named! Once again, the INPAA Firehouse Marquee Contest encouraged emergency responder organizations to promote 811 in their communities by displaying messaging about “811 in Your Hometown” on their station marquee, signs of any type, or in social media posts. The grand prize winner will receive a two-night package to the 2019 MWDPTC and winners in the Most Creative, Best 811 Messaging and Best Social Media Post categories will receive monetary donation prizes. Winners of the 2019 INPAA Firehouse 811 Contest include:
- Most Creative – Oldenburg Police Department
- Best 811 Messaging – Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department
- Best Social Media Post – Elkhart County EMA
- Overall – Hoagland Fire & EMS
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all who participated in this year’s contest to help spread the safe digging message near and far this spring.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that Indiana 811 is taking over the Indiana State Fair this year? Join us at the fairgrounds from Aug. 2 – Aug. 18 as we remind nearly a million attendees to “know what’s below,” and don’t miss a special celebration on Aug. 11 for 8/11 Day!