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What if the biggest threat to underground safety is not technology, but our refusal to change?

Mike Sullivan talks with long time damage prevention consultant and investor Jemmie Wang about why the industry feels “safe enough” even as enormous hidden societal costs pile up from every cut fibre and broken line.

Together they explore how advances like affordable high accuracy GPS, smarter ticket management, online locate requests, deep AI mapping, and Alternate Locate Provider models are already proving they can slash damages, yet are still held back by rigid legislation, misaligned incentives, and risk averse culture.

They compare Canadian and US approaches, question whether current 811 structures actually serve the people who use them, and ask if slogans like “call before you dig” and “50 in 5” are distracting from the real work of changing the rules of the game.

The conversation circles back again and again to one challenge for boards, executives, locators, and contractors alike: finding the courage to embrace new tools, new models and more flexible laws before the next crisis forces their hand.

Listen For:

4:10 What damage prevention technologies have changed the game in the last decade
7:11 Why does the industry keep doing more of the same instead of embracing new tools
16:31 Should damage prevention rely on more legislation less legislation or something in between
30:10 Why is click before you dig safer and why is it still a hard sell in the United States
56:58 What can Alternate Locate Providers and an Uber style model do to transform locating and reduce damages

Jemmie Wang
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What happens when an entire industry decides it’s time to build a new home from the ground up?

Mike Sullivan sits down with Bruce Campbell, Mark Frost, and Roger Lipscomb—the visionary team behind the Facility Notification Center Association (FNCA).

This passionate conversation traces the FNCA's superhero-style origin story, born from the ashes of older systems, into a modern, unified trade association serving 80% of North American notification centers.

From candid reflections on industry fragmentation to the power of collaborative leadership and servant-driven innovation, this episode dives deep into the necessity of FNCA, its mission, and its bright future.

It's a rich exploration of how facility notification centers are banding together—not just to adapt, but to lead.

Listen For:

6:10 What is the history behind North America’s One Call centers?

13:07 Why did One Calls of America and OCSI need to evolve?

29:36 What were the hurdles in transforming OCOA into the FNCA?

37:15 What goals are driving the FNCA’s strategic plan forward?

48:20 How is FNCA future-proofing for AI, volume spikes, and industry change?

Facility Notification Center Association (FNCA)

Connect with guest Mark Frost

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Bruce Campbell

Email| LinkedIn | Website

Roger Lipscomb

Website | LinkedIn

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What do two clipped fibre optic cables have in common with a $77 million disaster? More than you think.

Mike Sullivan recounts a personal travel nightmare that snowballed into a hard-hitting reflection on the staggering societal costs of utility damage.

What began as a delayed flight turned into an eye-opening experience involving 1,800 disrupted flights, 235,000 stranded passengers, and millions in lost productivity, business, and environmental damage—all traced back to a simple infrastructure mishap.

Mike breaks down the direct and indirect costs of such incidents, explores the gaps in utility protection and reporting laws, and emphasizes the critical importance of submitting locate requests.

Listen for:

1:05 How Did a Travel Delay Reveal a Bigger Safety Issue?

4:13 How Does Buried Utility Damage Impact Society at Large?

08:27 What Does $77 Million in Damage Look Like in Real Life?

17:29 Why Do Airlines Operate on Razor-Thin Profit Margins?

25:08 Can Repeat Offenders in Utility Damage Be Held Accountable?

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What if one simple change could slash utility damages to near zero?

Mike Sullivan brings together a powerhouse panel from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border to celebrate and dissect the incredible first year of the Alternate Locate Provider (ALP) program.

With only two reported damages out of over 30,000 ALP locates, this initiative is rewriting the rules of damage prevention.

Industry leaders—including Jamie Andersen, Iain Stables, Lance Norman, Wayne Jensen, and Ron Peterson share insights on how ALP is driving efficiency, improving safety, and changing the landscape of utility locating.

From enhanced collaboration to future scalability, this episode offers a blueprint for transforming infrastructure safety practices.

Listen For:

11:28 Why the ALP Had to Happen
16:15 Game-Changer for the Digging Community
20:44 Why This Could Go Global
53:34 Confronting the Controversy
59:21 The Future of ALP and Utility Safety

Guests:

WAYNE JENSEN

Website | Sign Up Page

IAIN STABLES

Email | Iain’s LinkedIn | Website | ATCO LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

JAMIE ANDERSEN

LinkedIn | Website| Facebook

LANCE NORMAN

LinkedIn | Website| Facebook | Instagram

RON PETERSON

LinkedIn | Website

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What does it take to turn unimaginable tragedy into a global movement for safety?

Mike Sullivan sits down with Carl Weimer, former executive director and current advisor to the Pipeline Safety Trust, to revisit the devastating 1999 pipeline explosion in Bellingham, Washington.

Carl shares his unlikely journey from environmental nonprofit leader to one of the most influential safety advocates in the pipeline industry.

Together, they explore the ripple effects of that tragic day, the formation of the Pipeline Safety Trust, the evolution of public engagement, and the ongoing challenges in pipeline safety across North America.

It’s a powerful conversation about accountability, transformation, and the lives behind the headlines.

Listen For:

2:03 - Unlikely Advocate

7:03 - The Day Bellingham Exploded

18:47 - $4 Million and a Mission

33:10 - Pushing Industry to Be Better

55:27 - Where Do We Go From Here?

Connect with guest Carl Weimer

LinkedIn | Pipeline Safety Trust

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Ever wondered what it takes to raise a superhero on four legs?

Mike Sullivan sits down with Miranda Turenne from BC and Alberta Guide Dogs to explore the incredible journey of raising, training, and placing life-changing service dogs with people who need them most.

From puppies to professional partners, these dogs transform the lives of those living with visual impairments, autism, or PTSD.

The conversation touches on the emotional, logistical, and deeply human side of this impactful work—plus, it all ties into Utility Safety Partners’ very first charity golf tournament benefiting this vital organization.

Listen For:

3:09 What BC & Alberta Guide Dogs is really all about

7:41 Miranda’s unique role as service dog matchmaker

10:30 How dogs “choose” their careers (or not!)

20:53 What guide dogs really do for people with visual impairments

35:35 The heartbreak and fulfillment of saying goodbye to a service dog

Connect with guest Miranda Turenne, Manager, Fund Development at BC & Alberta Guide Dogs

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What do circus tents, telehealth numbers, and federal legislation have in common? They all played a surprising role in shaping Canada’s damage prevention landscape!

In this episode of the Safety Moment Podcast, host Mike Sullivan sits down with Todd Scott, the new Executive Director of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA), for a lively and nostalgic journey through the CCGA’s origins, milestones, and future.

From its humble, patchwork beginnings across provinces to national pushes like the 811 campaign and Senate testimonies, Mike and Todd reflect on the hard-won lessons, political bumps, and evolving strategies that built the CCGA into Canada’s national voice for damage prevention. With a new strategic plan in motion, Todd shares his vision for uniting regional partners, strengthening governance, improving data reporting, and ensuring the CCGA stays relevant.

Listen For

2:51 How the regional alliances formed across Canada

12:12 Alberta One Call’s crucial support for CCGA growth

20:46 When the circus almost struck a lateral line

36:21 Railways push back: Political challenges emerge

1:08:01 Symposium spotlight: Halifax 2025 preview

Guest: Todd Scott, Executive Director CCGA

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What would you do if a colleague invited you to work in Colombia—armed guards, jungle airlifts, and all?

In this episode of the Safety Moment Podcast, host Mike Sullivan sits down with longtime friend and fellow pipeline veteran Brad Burlock to recount their high-stakes, eye-opening journey working abroad on the Enbridge-operated Ocensa pipeline in Colombia.

From sudden evacuations and military escorts to learning humility in a foreign work culture, this conversation sheds light on what it's truly like for Canadians working overseas—especially in high-risk industries.

Listen For

7:31 From Saskatchewan to Colombia

11:11“Would You Go to Colombia?”

26:40 Explosion Alert Mid-Flight

33:37 Snakebite Kit and Jungle Soldiers

56:56 The Learjet Card: Just in Case You’re Kidnapped

Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca