Happy New Year! As we begin 2026, we’re energized by the continued commitment of Florida’s damage prevention community. The new year brings new opportunities to strengthen awareness, reinforce best practices and share tools that make safety easier for everyone.
In this edition, we’re proud to announce the inaugural Damage Prevention Ambassador Award winner, new 3F code requirements for utilities/locators, debut a new safe digging tips video to help your crews start the year strong, and provide important information about working in rear easements. You’ll also find a reminder about our free Sunshine 811 window clings — a simple, visible way to keep the 811 message front and center at your offices.
Thank you for your dedication to protecting Florida’s underground infrastructure. We look forward to another impactful year ahead. |
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Meet Erick Velazquez, your 2025 Damage Prevention Ambassador Award winner! |
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| | Sunshine 811 is proud to announce the first-ever winner of the Damage Prevention Ambassador Award: Erick Velazquez of the City of Altamonte Springs! Erick’s leadership, hands-on advocacy and commitment to calling 811 before every dig have strengthened his team’s safety culture and created lasting impact across his community. As excavation activity continues to increase statewide, champions like Erick play a critical role in reducing risks, promoting best practices and helping keep Florida’s underground infrastructure protected. | | |
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| | ATTENTION MEMBERS & LOCATORS: |
| Starting 2/1/26, comments must be entered when using Positive Response Code 3F |
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Brush up on important safety reminders for 2026with our new video |
| As we start a new year of projects across Florida, it’s the perfect time to revisit the practices that keep crews safe and utilities protected. Our updated Best of the Best safety video highlights the core steps of the 811 process, from submitting accurate tickets to maintaining clear communication on every jobsite. Whether you’re breaking ground next week or planning ahead for spring, these quick refreshers help ensure your team is set up for a safe, efficient start to 2026. |
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| | A Quick Reminder on Submitting Accurate Tickets |
| Working in rear easements can often add an extra layer of complexity, but submitting accurate 811 tickets helps ensure utilities are located correctly and your projects stay on schedule. A key rule to keep in mind is that the 5-address rule still applies, even when the excavation area is behind multiple homes.
This means each ticket must include no more than five addresses, and all addresses listed must be on the same road. Organizing your requests by street not only keeps tickets compliant, it also ensures the full easement area is properly covered for locating.
Below, we’ve included a helpful graphic & video to show how you can break down addresses when a rear easement spans multiple properties. Following this structure helps prevent delays, improves clarity for locators and supports safer, more efficient excavation. Here’s to keeping all projects – backyard, front yard or otherwise – safe in 2026! |
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| | Visit Sunshine 811’s calendar for the latest events and meeting updates.
We look forward to seeing you soon! | | |
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An easy way to spread the safe digging message in 2026 |
| Last year, we began distributing free window clings to equipment rental partners and other industry allies to help keep the safe digging message visible where it matters most. These simple decals serve as consistent, everyday reminders for crews and customers to contact 811 before any excavation work begins. We’re continuing that effort in 2026, and they’re available to you, too! If you’d like to display a Sunshine 811 window cling and share the importance of safe digging, please request one using the form below! | | |
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| | Sunshine 811 | 11 Plantation Road | DeBary, FL 32713 |
| You’re receiving this email because you value safe digging and have previously contacted Sunshine 811. If you prefer not to receive the Sunshine 811 newsletter, you may update your preferences or unsubscribe using the links at the bottom of this message. Thank you for contacting 811 and for helping keep Florida safe and connected.
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