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Iowa One Call Officers, Directors & Staff
2010 - 2011
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President
Dan Klopfer
Des Moines Water Works
515-283-2610
Vice President
Ed Greiner
Interstate Power & Light Company
319-786-3773
Secretary/Treasurer
Neil Drefke
Spencer Municipal Utilities
712-580-5842
Chairman
Curt Hodges
Mediacom
641-842-2988
Directors
Charles Bruggerman
Iowa Telecom
641-787-2555
Greg Pavelka
East-Central IOWA REC
319-443-3564
Terry Fox
MidAmerican Energy Company
515-281-2316
Neal Drefke
Spencer Municipal Utilities
712-580-5842
Tim Flickinger
PAETEC
515-309-1135
Dan Childers
Interstate Communications
641-765-4201
Leon Hofer
Iowa Network Services
515-830-0441
Brian Poock
Northern Natural Gas
402-530-6607
Steve Stone
Black Hills Energy
641-792-1548
Ross Wendell
Qwest Corporation
515-286-6613
Paul Wiegand
Iowa State University
ISU Center for Transp. Research & Education
515-294-7082
Mike Wildung
Central Iowa Water Association
641-792-7011
Class B Director
Mike Heggen
Communication Technologies, Inc.
515-597-2294
Class C Director
Mick Secory
Consolidated Utility Services, Inc.
515-321-6220
IOC Center Manager
Nancy Jensen
563-322-2400
IOC Administrative Staff
Craig Walter - Administrative Director
Shellie Petek - Executive Administrator
Ben Booth - Manager, Public Relations/ Communications
benbooth@netins.net
Steve Halstead - Mapping Coordinator
stevehalstead@mchsi.com
Phone: 515-278-8700
Fax: 515-278-0245
Email:
onecall@iowaonecall.com
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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by Danny Klopfer, President
The system contingency plan for Iowa One Call, including disaster recovery, is a crucial element of the IOC business model and is kept current as a high priority strategy. Typically, the effectiveness of any contingency plan can never be fully tested outside of actual implementation during a breakdown in normal operations. With the recent dissolution of contract vendor One Call Systems, Iowa One Call implemented a nearly seamless transition from third-party vendor to in-house operations. This was no small feat, considering the transition was implemented during Iowa's peak digging season.
In August, the Pittsburg-based One Call Systems (OCS) announced that they would be closing their doors within the week, including call center operations in Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming and West Virginia. As a result, the Iowa One Call contingency plan was immediately put into effect. An emergency IOC Board meeting was set up within hours of OCS's announcement. By week's end the entire call center operations in Iowa, previously handled via a contract with OCS, was fully transferred to Iowa One Call in-house operations and Iowa One Call Services was established. While minor details are still being finalized, the primary task of coordinating and transmitting underground facility locate notifications has continued with very few impediments. This was about as seamless a transition as one could have hoped. Most excavators and member operators have not even realized that a major shift in operations has occurred. During this process the typical call center response times were slightly affected and some excavators experienced somewhat longer hold times than usual, but overall operations continued without any serious obstacles.
The next phase for IOC will be to determine the long range strategy for call center operations. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been sent out to eleven national contract vendors, who have been invited to prepare two specific plans for IOC. The first plan entails the software systems only, while the second plan encompasses the overall call center operations. A special IOC committee has been assigned to assess each proposal submitted for feasibility, overall effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The IOC Board of Directors will select the plan that best meets all of the established prerequisites as defined by IOC. Ultimately, IOC will either continue operating the call center in-house, or a new call center vendor will be awarded a contract to oversee call center operations. Both strategies allow for the implementation of a new software system.
The unforeseen dissolution of OCS, a company which provided many years of dedicated and quality service to IOC and many other state one call systems, only emphasizes the importance of having a well-thought-out contingency plan in place. It was this contingency plan - along with the dedicated efforts of the IOC Board of Directors, the IOC Administrative Director and other staff - that allowed IOC to successfully move forward during a major transition. Ironically, the unscheduled implementation of the contingency plan, which has been a primary component of the current IOC strategic plan, has ultimately caused a postponement of the next phase in IOC's strategic planning process. Strategic planning, however, remains a high priority action item and the IOC Board will begin the next planning sessions once the call center operations have been finalized.
Dig Safe!
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WHAT'S UP BELOW
| | by Ben Booth, Manager Public Relations/Communications
Attention All Contractors...
In the last few months I have personally witnessed six driveway replacement jobs where the contractors failed to notify Iowa One Call. In all six instances the contractors told me that they didn't think they needed to call Iowa One Call because there was no digging taking place - just the removal and replacement of the driveways. In all six instances the natural gas lines running to the houses were within proximity to where the driveways were being busted up and torn out with skid loaders.
Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon scenario. There are professional contractors working in Iowa who don't have a clear understanding of one of the most important and critical codes pertaining to their profession. They are breaking the law and potentially endangering communities and they may not even realize it. Dangerous actions endanger people...a contractor who knowingly or unknowingly endangers people is, in short, a dangerous contractor. Do you know of a potentially dangerous contractor?
For all these contractors who either don't understand the law, or don't take time to implement the required legal protocols, here is a reminder of what Iowa law defines as an excavation:
"...an operation in which a structure or earth, rock, or other material in or on the ground is moved, removed, or compressed, or otherwise displaced by means of any tools, equipment, or explosives and includes, but is not limited to, grading, trenching, tiling, digging, ditching, drilling, augering, tunneling, scraping, cable or pipe plowing, driving, and demolition of structures.
Excavation does not include normal farming operations, residential, commercial, or similar gardening, the opening of a grave site in a cemetery, normal activities involved in land surveying pursuant to chapter 114, operations in a solid waste disposal site which has planned for underground facilities, the replacement of an existing traffic sign at its current location and at no more than its current depth, and normal road or highway maintenance which does not change the original grade of the roadway or the ditch."
Had the contractors doing the driveway jobs been familiar with the law, they would have understood their legal responsibility to notify Iowa One Call (per the code: "...a structure or earth, rock, or other material in or on the ground is moved, removed, or compressed, or otherwise displaced by means of any tools, equipment...etc...").
Regular readers of this newsletter may recall my updates regarding the role the federal government plays in underground damage prevention and its proposed rulemaking at the state level. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the federal agency instrumental in proposing and enacting federal laws designed to expedite the implementation and enforcement of damage prevention and safety procedures relating to pipeline operations, including excavation safety protocols and enforcement remedies. Previously I reported that PHMSA has introduced new proposed rulemaking that may impact one call enforcement and legal proceedings at the state level. In short, the federal government would like to see all states develop and implement strong (and in some cases stronger) damage prevention and public awareness programs, including strong (or stronger) enforcement remedies designed to increase compliance with state laws (i.e.: Chapter 480, Iowa Code...the "Iowa One Call law").
Recent pipeline incidents that have made national headlines, especially the San Bruno, California explosion, only strengthen the will of authorities and the significance of enacting new laws and enforcing existing laws designed to prevent damage to the underground infrastructure. Damage prevention is no more important today than it was yesterday, but the growing infrastructure and demand for essential services necessitates more stringent damage prevention measures from all stakeholders groups. Contractors who don't establish and practice strong safety protocols put others at risk and contractors who intentionally, or unintentionally, skirt the system or fail to comply with damage prevention laws are downright dangerous. It is imperative that contractors understand the requirements of all laws and codes that pertain to their profession. I think it's a fair assessment to say that the enforcement arm of damage prevention, at the state and federal levels, will not take lightly any abuses of the One Call damage prevention system.
Spread the word...
Dig Safe.
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STATE OF THE ART COMMITTEE UPDATE
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by Tim Flickinger, SOTA Committee Chairman
A major effort is being mounted by the State of the Art (SOTA) Committee to encourage more facility owner/operators to make use of the Iowa One Call Positive Response System (IOC PRS). Currently, about thirty one percent of all locate notifications are being responded to via the IOC PRS. We are also putting emphasis on educating excavators about the IOC PRS and promoting its use as a tool to obtain updates on a locate ticket.
We have identified the fifty Computer Designated Codes (CDCs) that receive the largest number of locate notifications. A number of these are already using the IOC PRS, but many are not. We will be working one on one with those that are not using it to identify the advantages of using the System. This approach is somewhat different from previous efforts where we concentrated on company-wide adoptions. We found that those companies having multiple CDCs oftentimes have local autonomy when it comes to their locate practices and we are counting on this to show how using the IOC PRS makes sense locally.
The Committee also spent considerable time working over the Professional Excavator Safety Manual in an effort to update it and to reflect the changes in technology that are impacting Iowa One Call. Look for the inclusion of information on the Positive Response System, enhancements to the Design Request System, and white lining in the latest updated version of the manual which is set to be published later this fall.
The success of the Design Request System has allowed us to lower the subscription rates for the service. While we must continue charging users, they will find our rates for 2011 will be $125 for individual users and $250 for firms with up to ten users. These rates are just half of what they had been and will be reflected in the subscription renewals invoiced in late October. It is hoped that these lower rates, along with the enhanced features, will make the service even more attractive to new users while encouraging current users to continue with the service.
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MEASURING THE EFFECT OF WHITE-LINING ON DIG-IN STATISTICS
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by Tim Flickinger, SOTA Committee Chairman
In 2007, 4,543 dig-ins/cable cuts/utility hits were reported to Iowa One Call. Although we do not know how many dig-ins went unreported, we can use the reported data to gauge our progress in reducing those numbers. In 2008, 3,921 dig-ins/cable cuts/utility hits were reported. In 2009, the number dropped to 3,571. Clearly, we are making great progress, but we are still seeing far too many. IOC President Dan Klopfer has set a goal of reducing the number of dig-ins to 3,000 or less in 2010. We are well on our way to that goal.
We know that there are a large number of factors involved in this reduction, but surely one of those is the efforts of the State of the Art Committee. The SOTA Committee will continue to seek ways to reduce the number of dig-ins, using state of the art technology wherever possible. Several things come to mind such, as better tracking of dig-ins, greater use of GPS by excavators and utilities, and improved mapping.
One thing we do know is that white-lining represents a significant opportunity to reduce the number of dig-ins. In 2008, the Call Center began asking if the intended excavation site had been marked in white. Comparing the percentage of dig-ins reported to the number of compliant tickets for both those tickets that were not white-lined and those that were, we find:
| Year | NOT White-Lined | White-Lined | | 2008 | 0.982% | 0.114% | | 2009 | 0.946% | 0.239% | | 2010 (YTD) | 0.764% | 0.236% |
Clearly, white-lining makes a difference. Only about 22% of all tickets are now being white-lined. Think of how much we could reduce the number of dig-ins if all tickets were white-lined!
You can expect that Iowa One Call will be doing everything it can to encourage the practice.
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UNDERSTANDING NATURAL GAS
| | by Ben Booth, Manager Public Relations/Communications
Without energy resources our society, our infrastructure-- indeed our very existence-- would be severely disrupted, resulting in almost unimaginable consequences. We are a nation and a world dependent on energy. Underground facilities are a primary source for conveying energy resources and the essential services they provide. Protecting essential services includes respecting and safeguarding energy resources.
One such energy resource is natural gas. Often associated with images of explosions and fireballs, when used properly natural gas can be as safe as other energy sources and even more reliable. Effective damage prevention is dependent on the actions of people and natural gas must always be respected. Any excavation that takes place in the vicinity of natural gas lines must follow proper protocols, including all required codes and laws, as well as any recommended guidelines and industry standards. Excavation safety starts with proper planning and must always include notifying Iowa One Call.
Respecting the energy resources that we rely on begins with understanding them. The following article was provided by the Black Hills Energy company and sheds some important light on natural gas - the product:
"Natural gas has been available as a safe, reliable source of energy in parts of the United States for more than 120 years, and today is the energy of choice in more than 65 million American homes.
In its early years, gas was transported through underground pipes made of wood. Today, state-of-the-art plastics are used for their durability and ease of construction. Through all the changes over the years, natural gas has an impressive record of safety.
Modern natural gas appliances are equipped with many features to make them safer and more convenient to use. When properly installed and maintained, natural gas appliances are among the safest on the market today.
These days, homeowners want everything from instant hot water and gourmet kitchens to outdoor living spaces and standby generators. So how do you help save energy, reduce emissions and protect the environment without compromising comfort, style and performance? It's safe to say, the answer is natural gas.
That's why knowledgeable builders choose natural gas; they know safe natural gas can help improve a home's energy efficiency and meets buyers' demands for green quality homes.
Outside the home, Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) have gotten a lot of attention lately because they reduce harmful emissions. According to the Department of Energy, natural gas is safer for the environment because it burns more cleanly than gasoline.
- Approximately 20 percent fewer CO2 emission
- Reduces carbon monoxide emissions 90-97 percent
- Reduces nitrogen oxide emissions 35-60 percent
- Can reduce non-methane hydrocarbon emissions 50-75 percent
Rest assured - natural gas is safe for you, your family and the environment."
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| THE MAPPING CORNER | |  by Steve Halstead, Mapping Coordinator
Following a recent State of the Art (SOTA) Committee meeting, one of the members was demonstrating his latest electronic tool-an ANDROID. As I learned, the ANDROID is a next generation Blackberry-able to do everything a Blackberry can do and a whole lot more.
Using the voice recognition feature, he told the device that he wanted to go to a certain location and wanted driving instructions. The machine immediately began giving him voice commands as to how to drive to that location. Clearly, the need for a separate device in one's car to perform this function will no longer be needed-just ask your cell phone for help.
He also showed us how he could scan a bar code and the device would show him where he could get that product at the lowest price within a pre-set distance from his current location. Maybe you wouldn't use this feature to buy a bar of soap, but it certainly would be handy if, for example, you want to buy a washing machine. Just scan the bar code and tell the device how far you are willing to drive and there you go. Instead of spending the day going from store to store, you can head to the store offering the best price.
The device has all the usual features of the Blackberry-voice and data transmission and receipt, internet access, email, and a camera/video recorder, in addition to the touch screen features of the iPhone. This means outstanding graphics with exceptional ease of use.
The State of the Art Committee is ramping up its interest in implementing a new means of entering dig tickets via such devices. We will want to be able to make use of the voice recognition features for sure, but more importantly these devices will allow the excavator to go to the excavation site and submit the GPS coordinates of the site and enter the other required ticket information. Immediately, the excavator will receive the locate ticket right there on the device, to be downloaded and printed if needed. The status of those locates will also be there for review as quickly as the Call Center receives the information from the locator/facility owner.
However, with the way technology is so rapidly evolving, I hope the new ANDROID isn't obsolete by the time you read this!
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This newsletter is published by Iowa One Call, Administrative Office, 9001 Hickman Road, Suite 220, Des Moines, Iowa 50322.
Copyright © 2010 Iowa One Call. All rights reserved. These materials may not be reproduced without permission of Iowa One Call.
Disclaimer: This publication is designed to provide general information in regard to the subject matter covered and should not be used as a substitute for professional service, advice or actual wording of regulations or standards in specific situations. The reader is cautioned that the publisher does not endorse or recommend specific manufacturers, industry standards or practices and reliance should not be placed upon the information within this publication without confirming independent research.
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