Virginia 811 Launches New Mobile Excavator Response Management Application (ERMA) App
Virginia 811 Enhances Excavation Safety with New ERMA Mobile Application Richmond, VA – September 25, 2023 – Virginia 811 proudly announces the launch of its first mobile application, the Excavator Response Management Application (ERMA).ERMA represents a significant leap forward in excavation safety and response management. The application is free and available for download to iPhone and Android users starting September 25, 2023. One of ERMA’s most notable features is its ability to empower excavators by providing enhanced tools for reviewing and responding to Positive Responses related to their Locate Requests. Positive Responses can now be accessed in real time, enabling field…
Learn MoreDig it? Absolutely! But Remember to Contact Virginia 811 BEFORE You Dig!
August 11th (8/11) is a Big Day!! It serves as a great reminder for Virginia residents to always contact Virginia 811 before digging [August 2, 2021] There is a big day on the calendar aimed at reminding Virginia residents to contact 811 before planning any kind of work that involves digging into the ground. In fact, 811 day, or August 11th, has been designated as an important annual date by the Virginia General Assembly. Many home projects involve digging, such as planting a tree, building a fence, or installing a sprinkler system. But even shallow digging has the potential to…
Learn MoreVirginia 811 Announces New Scholarship Program for Students Planning to Pursue a Career in Safety/Underground Utility Damage Prevention
Roanoke, Virginia – In celebration of National Safe Digging Month, Virginia 811 is kicking off a new scholarship program to award to two high school seniors who are planning to either major in and/or plan to pursue a career that aligns with the mission of Virginia 811 and will help contribute to underground utility damage prevention. Virginia 811 embraces its role within damage prevention and the protection of underground utilities with a “passion to serve, and dedication to safety.” This is its mission, its core. Virginia 811 strives to provide exceptional service with a relentless pursuit of producing high quality,…
Learn MoreState Corporation URS Safety Alert
In partnership with the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Division of Utility and Railroad Safety (URS), Virginia 811 is sharing this important safety alert. To: PIPELINE OPERATORS and EXCAVATION STAKEHOLDERS SUBJECT: URS SAFETY ALERT: Underground Utility Separation- Gas pipelines vs. Electrical power infrastructure BACKGROUND: In recent weeks Staff of the Commission’s Division of Utility and Railroad Safety’s Damage Prevention and Pipeline Safety sections have discovered multiple occurrences of electrical power and gas distribution facilities being less than 12” of radial separation as required from each other and absent of any approved shielding devices. In one instance of improper separation, multiple arc…
Learn MoreApril is National Safe Digging Month
Washington Gas Wants You to Dig Safely by Contacting Virginia811 Before you Dig! National Safe Digging Month serves as an important reminder that everyone, whether a homeowner with a shovel or a professional excavator with an earthmover, must contact Virginia 811 Before You Dig. Washington Gas (WG) reminds homeowners, the community, and professional excavators that contacting Virginia 811 before digging on any property is the law. Virginia 811 is conveniently accessible 24/7 and can be reached by phone (8-1-1) or online at VA811.com. Digging projects range from the small to the big. It is often a surprise to homeowners that simple projects like…
Learn MoreVirginia 811 and Ace Hardware Stores Partner for April Sweepstakes Contest Celebrating National Safe Digging Month
Roanoke, Virginia – Date. Ace Hardware stores, along with Virginia811, the state’s call center which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig, have announced plans to partner for a special sweepstakes during the month of April, National Safe Digging Month. During the month of April, the Ace Your Outdoor Space Sweepstakes will give all Virginians an opportunity to enter to win one of four $1,000 Ace gift cards. The contest is designed to helps Virginians make their outdoor spaces memorable, comfortable, and summer ready! “This is an exciting partnership,” says Nathan Overstreet, Owner/Vice President of Northwest Ace…
Learn MoreAs Temperatures Warm Up, Remember to Dig Safely this Spring by Contacting Virginia811 Before you Dig!
Roanoke, Virginia – With the warmer temperatures, many people have the urge to begin to plant. But, before you dig a hole, there are some things that you should be aware of. For starters, Virginia state law requires anyone digging in the state to contact Virginia811 prior to digging. In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, Virginia811 today announced results from a recent national survey. The results revealed that a third of U.S. homeowners (33%) reported experiencing a utility service interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, of the 19.5 million U.S. homeowners who plan to dig this year…
Learn MoreBlue Hills Communications Center Earns APWA Recognition
The City of Roanoke and VA811 announce that the American Public Works Association (APWA) Mid-Atlantic Chapter has selected the Blue Hills Communications Center project to receive an Honorable Mention for the 2021 APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter’s Project of the Year Award for the category of Structures $5-$25 Million. Each year, APWA presents the Public Works Projects of the Year awards to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects, recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the contractor, the consultant, and their cooperative achievements. The Blue Hills Communications Center houses the City’s E-911 Center and the VA811…
Learn MoreVirginia811 Launches Virginia811 Academy with Week of Learning
New Online Training Site Aims to Educate Safe Digging Partners About Best Practices, Notice of Excavation Requests, and More! Roanoke, VA – Imagine having training available at the touch of a button and on your schedule! Virginia811, the not-for-profit organization created by Virginia’s utilities to protect their underground facilities, has launched a new online training program to do just that. The training, called Virginia811 Academy – Safety Through Education, is designed to leverage online learning technology to educate our partners about damage prevention and best practices. The Academy contains several educational videos and other online tools to teach professional excavators…
Learn MoreVirginia811 Spearheads New Technology Initiatives to Enhance Mapping and Evaluate Risks to Protect Underground Utilities, Life, and Property in Virginia
Both GEOI Solutions and Virginia Tech’s Statistical Applications and Innovations Group (SAIG) will Utilize Geospatial Data and Artificial Intelligence to Help Improve Mapping and Auditing of Online Dig Requests. For Immediate Release: Virginia811 (VA811) has enlisted the technology solutions of both GEOI Solutions and Virginia Tech to improve both its mapping and auditing process. Virginia811 has recently teamed up with GEOI Solutions to provide advanced geospatial automation, data processing, and map change detection analytics to enhance Virginia’s 811 Contact Center (Contact Before You Dig – va811.com) processes. Due to statewide road infrastructure growth and the increased volume of geospatial…
Learn MoreHeavy Equipment Operator Training Program – John Tyler Community College
John Tyler Community College is now accepting applications for their new Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) training program. Classes are scheduled to begin on September 22, 2020. For more information, visit this web page, or click here: HEO Current Flyer-fall2020
Learn More811 Day Virtual Run/Walk
VA811 is celebrating 811 Day (August 11) with a virtual run/walk! This virtual 5K or 8.11 run is for anyone who wants to get outdoors and exercise for some great prizes! Do the 5K and get one entry for a free prize. Do the 8.11 run and get two entries! Free t-shirts are also available to those who post a picture on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #irun4VA811 - but you must register! Registration information can be found here: VA811 Virtual Run/Walk Registration If you're in Roanoke, be sure to stop by Runabout Sports (4600 Brambleton Ave) for your t-shirt…
Learn MoreFounder and CEO Rick Pevarski to Retire from VA811
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Founder and CEO Rick Pevarski to Retire from VA811 Roanoke, Virginia – VA811, based out of Roanoke, Virginia, today announced its founder and CEO, Rick Pevarski, will retire as CEO effective June 30, 2020. He will stay on in an advisory capacity until July 2022. Scott Crawford, currently the Company’s Vice President, will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer as of July 1, 2020. VA811 was a startup organization that Pevarski created in 2001 from the original business plan to fruition as a functioning organization. Before this, Pevarski was a…
Learn MoreVirginia Virtual Damage Prevention Committee Meeting
Damage prevention partners throughout Virginia will be gathering for the first-ever Virginia Virtual Damage Prevention Committee meeting. This will take begin at 10:00 am on Friday, May 15. To join us, click here: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/745857765
Learn MoreVA811 2020 Board of Directors Voting
The 2020 process for voting for VA811's Board of Directors has begun. A slate of candidates has been recommended for the 5 positions up for election this year. Voting contacts are being contacted via email about voting electronically. For more information about the process and the slate of candidates, click here to view the 2020 Proxy Statement.
Learn MoreHeavy Equipment Operator Training Program
VA811 is a member of Heavy Construction Contractors Association (HCCA), Richmond Area Municipal Contractors Association (RAMCA), Hampton Roads Utility and Heavy Contractors Association (HRUHCA), and Central and Southwest Virginia Utility Contractors Association (CSVUCA). We are happy to provide this message in partnership with these organizations. Heavy Equipment Operator Training Virginia Community Colleges are offering Heavy Equipment Operator training in-person and online. This is an opportunity for people interested in getting into the heavy construction industry and for construction workers to grow and refine their skills. The course is taught on state-of-the-art simulators which eliminates safety risk and project down-time. Students…
Learn More2020 Virginia Damage Prevention Conference – CANCELED
2020 Virginia Damage Prevention Conference - CANCELED Due to the Governor's recent Executive Order Number Fifty-three, which prohibits all public and private in-person gatherings of 10 or more individuals through April 23, 2020, the State Corporation Commission and VA811 are forced to cancel the 2020 Virginia Damage Prevention Conference scheduled for April 20-23, 2020. If you have reservations at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel, the Hampton Inn Oceanfront, or the Hilton Garden Inn, please ensure that you cancel those as soon as possible.
Learn More