Page 6 - Alabama 811 Magazine 2021 Issue 1

Moving Closer to a True “One Call”
Although Alabama 811, in some form, has been operating and providing “call before you dig” services in Alabama since 1975, we were still one of only a handful of states that did not mandate some form
of membership in the state damage prevention notification program. This changed in 2019 when revisions were made to Alabama’s Underground Damage Prevention Act.
These changes established a tiered system of when underground facility owners would be required to activate their membership in Alabama’s One Call Notification Center, Alabama 811.
The tiered membership requirements fell within the following dates:
• All current members must remain members as of January 2020
• Underground facility owners with more than 25,000 customers or 500 miles of facilities were required to join by January 2021
• Underground facility owners with less than 25,000 customers or 500 miles of facilities are required to join by January 2022
There are many benefits from membership in Alabama 811 beyond the obvious and most important reason of reducing the risk of damage to underground facilities, the interruption of the services they provide, and the protection of those living and working around those facilities. These other benefits include such features as reduction in costs associated with repairs to damage facilities, the ability to share in the cost and technology needed to of provide utility notification services
to the excavation community, and the ability to easily provide 24/7 coverage for notification of any emergency excavations. Some members have also seen a reduction in their insurance premiums due to their participation in the state 811 program. And of course, your membership fees can be written off as a business expense!
The membership process for joining Alabama 811 is simple. The items required to activate membership include:
• Completion of membership application.
• Providing AL811 with notification area database for desired area to be notified of excavation activities. AL811 will build this notification area into our database and supply back to the member a map file to verify prior to activation.
• Set up communication protocol with Alabama 811 to receive notification. This can include email, FTP transfer, inhouse
or vendor purchase receiving software or a free management system which is available for all AL811 members.
• Return signed membership agreement with proof of insurance coverage as outlined in agreement.
It is very easy to get started! Just visit www.al811.com and click on the “become a utility member” link on the top tool bar and complete a membership application. Alabama 811 and its staff are ready to be your partner in damage prevention!
4 • Alabama 811
2021, Issue 1