In This Issue


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Flagshooter Inc. is a company that's small in size, but big in innovation.
We are striving to bring several solutions to the Damage Prevention Industry that save
time, money, and energy for our customers. The Flagshooter
is a tool that inserts marking flags into the ground and sprays marking paint all
with one hand.
For more, go to


February 811 Numbers 

Inbound February Locate Requests = 245,085
Outbound February Notifications = 1,304,732
 
The Portal
Important Links


RFP for Hawaii 

Texas811 has responded to a request for proposal from Hawaii One Call.  The state is looking for much more than a one call notification center; they're requesting full damage prevention support and outreach - the exact support that Texas811 is famous for in the one call notification world.   The contract is set to be awarded in April.
  
Chris Stovall Named new Executive  VP/COO of Texas811
 
Former Director of Operations at Texas811 Chris Stovall was named Executive Vice President and COO at the Texas811 Damage Prevention Summit. Chris has been with Texas811 since 2005, serving as a Training Manager and Contact Center Manager. He had been serving as Director of Operations since 2012.


Membership Update 

New Members for February: 18
Total members: 1561
 
March 2016 Newsletter
Mike's Message
February is over - including the extra day - and the annual Texas811 Damage Prevention Summit is behind us. Still ahead are the 19th Annual Texas811 Charity Golf Tournament in April and the International Locate Rodeo being hosted by Texas811 in June.

Sincerely,
 
Mike Losawyer
President, Texas811
Texas811 Damage Prevention Summit      
 
This year's summit in San Marcos drew the highest number of exhibitors to date for the Summit - 52 entities had booths on the Summit floor. One exhibitor who was just there for the Utility Locator Training class on Monday, saw how large the Exhibit Hall was going to be and he signed up onsite and threw together a booth!
 
There were 426 attendees in all, who enjoyed not only  the huge exhibit floor, but also networking, two receptions, performances by Austin band Departure A TX, a golf tournament and a casino night.
   
Texas811 President Mike Losawyer addressed members with a highlight-filled speech, and guest speaker Khrysanne Kerr of Common Ground Alliance also spoke to members.
Additionally, there were plenty of seminars and workshops, including a utility locator training workshop, cross bore best practices and the introduction of Pipeline Response, a joint venture of Texas811, Enertech and the Danielle Dawn Smalley Foundation.     

Ultra Terrain Vehicle
 
We are raffling a RZR 570 UTV to benefit the Turning Point! Each ticket is only $20 and 100% of the ticket sales go to the Turning Point Rape Crisis Center in Collin County.
Click here to purchase your tickets or for more info

This is possible thanks to our amazing sponsors:
Atmos Energy
Heath Consultants
Flagshooter
Watkins Construction
CanFer
Texas Aerial
JD King
North Texas Damage Prevention Council
Central Texas Damage Prevention Council
Driver Pipeline
Lasen
Click Here for sponsor information


 Atmos Energy & Texas Trees Foundation
 
Spring is definitely in the air . The work to plant 811 trees across Texas in an initiative to educate property owners about the importance of calling 811 before digging that began last year, is heading to its big finish in April. Atmos Energy, the Texas Trees Foundation and Texas811 are working together in what's called The Fueling Greener and Cleaner Community initiative.
Some of the latest plantings include: Arlington, 47 trees, Longview 37, Round Rock 47, Paris 100, North Richland Hills 47 and College Station 47.
Once the effort is finished, the 811 trees planted will have an estimated value of $3.9 million over their lifetime in terms of pollution removal, clean air and water, and keeping helping keep Texas cooler, organizers said. "We estimate over 5,000 individuals will directly benefit from this partnership," said Matt Grubisich, with Texas Trees Foundation. "This is a great way to show Texas the importance of calling 811 before digging while providing trees for our communities."

Safety Day Season Rolls On  
   
Texas811 is first and foremost a damage prevention organization, and to that end we are joining with members to host Safety Day events across the state.
One of the first this year was with CPS Energy in San Antonio for Excavator Safety Day on January 13.  The event was open to excavators, first responders, public officials and pipeline operators.
 Attendees witnessed mock gas and electric hit line demonstrations and found out what to do when utility lines are damaged.   
These live demonstrations give attendees a chance to see what actually happens when a backhoe or other heavy machinery nicks, breaks or otherwise ruptures a pressurized natural gas line, and how excavators respond as the first line of defense in what could potentially be a life and property threatening situation. Texas811 president Mike Losawyer says, "Last year Texas811 took over two and three quarter million requests from excavators to have underground lines marked in Texas - and still the greatest cause of underground incidents is failure to call 811 prior to a dig."
Texas811 Damage Prevention Manager Jaime Medina says, "It's vitally important that all professionals who break ground in Texas for any project know what's down there - and know what to do in the event of a line strike. Knowledge gained in a mock event could very well be life-saving in reality."

Here are some upcoming events!
March 31st - N TX Safety Day - Corinth, TX
April 1 -  TEEX Excavation Safety Rodeo Roundup  - Bryan, TX
April 8th - Rio Grande Valley DPC Risk & Safety Expo - McAllen, TX
April 22nd - Permian Basin Safety Day in Midland, TX & Eagle Ford Safety Day in Gonzales, TX
 
 

 International Locate Rodeo 2016
 
That puts a wrap on this month's newsletter. If you've got an event coming up that we should give a shout out for, send an email.

Until next time, dig safe!

Sincerely,

Texas811