OP3 Ambassador in the Spotlight
Article from the Ohio Public Private Partnership (OP3) – March 2025 Quarterly Newsletter – Spring Edition – homelandsecurity.ohio.gov
Ohio Utilities Protection Service (dba OHIO811), established in 1972, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization serving as Ohio’s “Call Before You Dig” notification
center. OHIO811 serves as the communication link between those who intend to dig
and those who own, operate, and/or maintain underground utility facilities. Each
year, OHIO811 processes approximately 1.5 million excavation notifications which
identify 10.5 million potential critical infrastructure sites near excavation locations.
As a public safety organization, OHIO811 provides expertise on underground utility
damage prevention and leads Ohio’s efforts to protect its critical infrastructure
through statewide messaging. Their decade-long partnership with Ohio Homeland
Security (OHS) bolsters protections for the state’s 11.8 million residents. Discover
more at www.OHIO811.org.
Jaime Gillen is the Director of Public Relations and Communications with OHIO811 and
became an OP3 Ambassador in January of 2025. OP3 Ambassadors support the
program’s growth by guiding its development and acting as a “force-multiplier.” They
assist with workshops, conferences, networking, offer suggestions, advocate for the
program and represent OP3 during EOC activations. Ambassadors meet once a
month and help manage their Ohio Homeland Security (OHS) region. If you are
interested in becoming an ambassador reach out to Gary Lehman at:
OP3@dps.ohio.gov or call 614-915-8870.
GOVERNOR DEWINE DECLARES APRIL AS SAFE DIGGING MONTH IN OHIO
GOVERNOR DEWINE DECLARES APRIL AS SAFE DIGGING
MONTH IN OHIO
Notifying OHIO811 before digging is a free public safety service and it’s the law.
NORTH JACKSON, OHIO – March 18, 2025 – Governor Mike DeWine has declared April as “Safe Digging Month” in Ohio, a timely reminder for all Ohioans to prioritize safety by contacting OHIO811 before any excavation project. Whether you’re a homeowner planting a tree or a professional excavator breaking ground, Ohio law requires you to “call before you dig” to request the utility companies to locate and mark the underground utilities within the proposed excavation area. Notifying OHIO811 is a free public safety service that protects Ohioans, the environment, and the vital utility services Ohioans rely on every day.
Planning to dig? Notify OHIO811 at least 48 hours—but no more than 10 days—before starting. This notification will provide the time needed for utility owners and operators to respond and to mark their underground lines with paint, chalk, or flags. Contact OHIO811 easily by dialing 8-1-1, visiting www.OHIO811.org, or using the OHIO811 mobile app.
For more on safe digging in Ohio or to schedule a free safety presentation for your organization, visit www.OHIO811.org .
- Curious about what those flag and paint colors mean? Check out: https://oups.org/one-call-process/
- Homeowners can find tailored resources at: https://oups.org/homeowners/
Press Contact:
Jaime Gillen
Director of Public Relations & Communications
OHIO811
jaimeg@oups.org
330-651-4388
WLWT5 – Crews rescue dog stuck in drain pipe in Brown County
Crews rescue dog stuck in drain pipe in Brown County
Updated: 4:39 PM EDT May 21, 2024 By Emily Sanderson
FAYETTEVILLE, Ohio —
A dog is back with his owners after getting stuck inside a drain pipe, prompting a rescue in Brown County.
Fayetteville Fire and EMS posted to their Facebook page, sharing details about the rescue Monday morning.
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They said crews were notified about a dog stuck in a drain pipe and once they got on scene, they were able to hear the dog crying out from a distance.
Employees with Tele-Vac Environmental were able to use their camera to locate how far in the drain pipe the dog was.
Crews also called on, Zach’s Towing, a local towing company, and Ohio 811, a nonprofit utility protection service, to dig up the area where the dog was seen in the pipe.
After rescuing the dog, crews took him to Route 50 vet care where the Brown County Humane Society helped locate his owners.
“Even in urgent situations like this, knowing where it’s safe to dig can prevent turning an emergency into a tragedy. OHIO811 is grateful to the First Responders and excavation professionals who called before they started digging to rescue this pup. Contact OHIO811 before every dig by dialing 8-1-1 or visiting www.OHIO811.org,” Ohio 811 said in a statement.
Business Journal – City Paid Company to Relocate Utilities at Explosion Site
City Paid Company to Relocate Utilities at Explosion Site
By Denise Dick | Friday, May 31, 2024
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The city paid the company working in the Realty Tower basement at the time of this week’s explosion $140,133 for utility relocation.
21WFMJ – DeWine reminds Ohioans to always call 811 before digging
DeWine reminds Ohioans to always call 811 before digging
OHIO811 is a free service that allows utility companies to come and mark underground lines so that they are not damaged when excavating. Read more
