OP3 Ambassador in the Spotlight

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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.