Dear Fire Service Colleague,



As August 11 (8-11 day) approaches; I would like to take the opportunity to encourage you to help spread the importance of calling 811 before digging across our state! My office, the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) and the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the organization who promotes underground damage prevention nationally, are asking fire stations across the country to show their support for this day by reminding their community members to call 811 before any digging project – large or small. One free call to 811 a few days prior to digging starts the process of having underground utility lines marked. This simple call reduces the chance of diggers unintentionally striking a utility line and causing inconvenient outages, harm to themselves or someone else, and/or repair costs.



We ask that you simply post a brief reminder to call 811 on the marquee in front of your fire station during the week of August 9th. Here are a couple message examples to consider:



Know what’s below. Call 811 before you dig.

Digging soon? Call 811 first.

Keep us safe and connected. Call 811 before digging.



We thank you in advance for helping promote this important safety message in your area. For more information, please visit www.call811.com or email Khrysanne Kerr at the CGA: kerr@commongroundalliance.com

Thanks,

Ron

Ron L. Morris
Utah State Fire Marshal
5272 South College Drive, Suite 302
Murray, Utah 84123
Office: 801-284-6350
Fax: 801-284-6351
Email: ronmorris@utah.gov