GREENSBORO, NC (March 1, 2016) NC811 began a Safe Digging Partner program in April of 2015.  The program signifies a commitment to help prevent damages to buried utilities. To become a partner, all that’s needed is to sign a pledge to ‘Call 811 Before You Dig’.  NC811 will provide safe digging partner stickers to place on vehicles and equipment in order to spread the 811 message to the public.  Each month, NC811 will choose a Safe Digging Partner that exemplifies this commitment and will spotlight them with recognition.

The City of Rocky Mount was chosen as the Safe Digging Partner for March. Richard Worsinger, Director of Energy Resources for the City of Rocky Mount, stated, “The City of Rocky Mount is excited to partner with NC811 to show our commitment to safety in the utility industry. We strive to be a safety conscious organization, and the Safe Digging Partner decals will be placed on our vehicles and equipment to show our commitment to safety.”

On Monday February 29, 2016, NC811 presented a recognition certificate to highlight their commitment to damage prevention. “This is truly the type of Safe Digging Partner that NC811 is looking for:  The commitment to making the Call to 811, Waiting the required time, Respecting the Marks, and Digging Safely,” stated Ann Rushing, Education Manager.  To become a Safe Digging Partner, visit http://www.nc811.org/safe-digging-partner.html.

The City of Rocky Mount has been providing utility services since 1899. Rocky Mount Public Utilities (RMPU) serves more than 31,000 households in Nash and Edgecombe counties and maintains hundreds of miles of underground electric, natural gas, water and sewer lines.

RMPU’s commitment to safety and reliability is demonstrated by its achievement in several national awards. For example, RMPU is recognized as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) by the American Public Power Association (APPA) and is a recipient of the Gold designation in the American Public Gas Association’s prestigious System Operation Achievement Recognition (SOAR) program. RMPU was also awarded APGA’s Safety Award and APPA’s Safety Award of Excellence. These awards recognize utilities that demonstrate the highest degree of safety standards. RMPU is also a committed partner of NC811. To ensure residents and businesses practice safe digging, RMPU advertises 811 through newspaper ads, direct mail, Rocky Mount’s local government channel and RMPU’s monthly newsletter.

About NC811
Since 1978 North Carolina 811 has provided you a fast and easy communications link with your local utility providers. You give us information about your excavation, we transmit the information to the utilities and then they send out locators to mark your underground lines for FREE. So remember, call 811 or 1-800-632-4949 three working days before you plan on digging.

Media Contact:
Ann Rushing
(336) 944-5518
annrushing@nc811.org