• Establishment
• Protection Of Underground Utility Facilities
• Overhead Electric Assistance
• Incorporation
• Expansion
• Federal Efforts
• Milestones
• Function
• Other Firsts

Establishment

In November, 1970, MISS DIG System, Inc. was established as a pilot program in Oakland County by five major Michigan utility companies (Consumers Energy, Detroit Edison, Verizon, AT&T, and Michigan Consolidated Gas) in an effort to reduce damages to their underground facilities, prevent injuries, and save lives. The participating utilities included underground telephone and telegraph, gas, electric, water, sewer, storm lines, and drains.

Protection Of Underground Utility Facilities

With the establishment of the Protection of Underground Facilities, Public Act 53 of 1974 by the Michigan State Legislature, the need for a statewide one-call service grew. By 1975, the MISS DIG System one-call service was available throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula. By 1976, MISS DIG System's one-call service was also available in the Upper Peninsula.

Overhead Electric Assistance

Between 1977 and 1979, the MISS DIG System service expanded to include a statewide overhead electric line assistance program. At the request of the excavator, overhead electric line assistance may be provided by an electric utility if the excavator's equipment will be used near overhead electric lines.

Incorporation

On December 15, 1994, the MISS DIG System officially incorporated as a non-profit corporation. A seven member Board of Directors was created to set company goals and objectives for the one-call utility notification center.

Expansion

In 1996, the MISS DIG System opened a northern office in Escanaba to assist the Pontiac office in fulfilling its projected long-term growth and disaster recovery goals.

Federal Efforts

Federal one-call legislation was passed by the United States Congress in 1998. The legislation recommended that all states have a one-call utility notification system and the participation of utility companies and excavators throughout each state.

Milestones

In 2007, the MISS DIG System processed its 16 millionth staking requests. It is the largest total ticket-taking one-call system in the United States.

Function

One toll free call to 800-482-7171 or 811 reaches the MISS DIG System. The MISS DIG System processes calls from individuals planning to dig and notifies its member utilities about these excavations. The member utilities then mark the dig site, indicating the approximate location of their underground public utility lines (MISS DIG does not mark). The MISS DIG System promotes safety on the job site and assists the utilities in providing safe and efficient service to millions of customers, thus helping to preserve the environment and ensuring the quality of life for all Michigan residents.

The MISS DIG System is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency and non-emergency requests.

MISS DIG System, Inc. Other Notable Firsts

• The MISS DIG System was the first 24-hour operated call center in the U.S.
• The MISS DIG System was the first computerized one-call center in the U.S.
• The MISS DIG System was the first statewide one-call center in the U.S.
• The MISS DIG System was the first center to offer an overhead electric program in the U.S.
• The MISS DIG System has the largest total ticket-taking volume of any one-call center in the U.S. with over 16 million total requests since 1970.

The MISS DIG System, Inc. is a member of One Call Systems International (OCSI).

The MISS DIG System's busiest months are April, May and October. The average number of tickets taken per day in the summer is over 4,200.