Page 7 - Louisiana 811 Magazine 2020 Issue 4

Teamwork is Essential
By Cole Vanderlick,
Louisiana 811
TDamage Prevention Manager
his edition of Teamwork is exactly what Louisiana is all about. No matter the circumstance, Louisianians are always there to extend a helping hand to make it through together. It’s how we were raised, and it’s the
right thing to do in life. Take care of your neighbor. Isn’t life all about love anyway? How we treat each other is one of life’s most important treasures. The entire country knows that you can count on Louisiana. We are the capital of Southern Hospitality. It’s how we were raised to be since kids. No one is alone in our state. You are part of a special unity when you live in Louisiana. One that runs towards help, not away from it. We cannot predict when disasters will occur, but we have the choice on how we react. This world is as good as the people living in it. Maybe I’m biased, but I believe that Louisianians are just about as good of people as there are walking this earth. It’s the attitude that we bring that is so uplifting. It’s the casual friendliness that goes further than we can see. Some people here are devastated by the damages that they’ve had to face. I bet a kind word and a friendly conversation with a fellow Louisianian helped calm some of those frustrated nerves. I bet a helping hand brought a soothing attitude that made someone feel like they weren’t alone, and that everything will be ok.
We have taken beatings from Mother Nature many times, and Louisiana always prevails together. 2020 has brought one of the worst hurricane seasons ever, during a year that has been anything but ordinary. Louisiana took hit after hit from these hurricanes. These caused some of the worst damages that Louisiana and
our member companies have ever experienced. Unity represents Louisiana as much as it could represent any state. We expect to work as a team here. That’s how we overcome. Our industry works together every day. Hard work and smart collaboration between companies proved to be critical for restoration efforts from these storms. Resources have been stretched thin during restoration efforts. Work has been needed all over. Companies have flooded impacted areas with emergency personnel. Employees have been running on fumes. Locators have been working hard to keep
up with the volume of dig tickets to mark facilities. Companies have communicated together to handle this emergency crisis
as safely and efficiently as possible. This hurricane season has been mayhem for many. Teamwork and communication have
been the only way to make it through safely together. Downed power lines, telephone poles, busted water lines, blowing gas, damaged facilities; you name it, chances are that one of our member companies experienced it from hurricane damages. They had to safely and efficiently repair and restore services, while communicating with other utility companies to protect each other’s facilities. Our member companies worked closely with each other and FEMA to help their communities as quickly and safely as possible.
We have been working with our member companies to help protect their facilities during restoration activity. We posted
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
2020, Issue 4
Louisiana 811
• 5