About EAPUOC

2010 Community Awareness Report

2010 was a busy year for the Community Awareness Committee.  The Members’ time was well taken up with seeking out and securing new Members, making presentations, attending/representing EAPUOC at various “outside organization” meetings, attending family events (GRONK), visiting schools and distributing coloring books, establishing a Promotions Kit, preparing for the 2011 Safety Seminar and Trade Show etc. etc.  I’d like to provide a synopsis of some of the activities the Committee partook in:

  • Twelve “Underground Awareness Presentations” were given to approximately 150 City of Edmonton Parks and Recreation employees.  This allowed Rick Pratt to work with a number of the Parks and Recreation foremen to participate in site visits and investigate areas of concern.
  • NAIT was exposed to one “Underground Awareness Presentation” with two planned for 2011.
  • RAP (The Edmonton Public School Registered Apprenticeship Program) has bought into EAPUOC’s “Underground Awareness Presentation” and will contact Rick Pratt when they feel the presentation will fit into their existing programs.
  • Sixteen construction sites were visited with a focus on small, independent type contractors, usually working in subdivisions.
  • Fifteen pen displays were set up at Home Depots, Rona and independent rental businesses.
  • Five Thousand GRONK coloring books were distributed to elementary schools.  With the exception of two schools and now the City of Fort Saskatchewan, this completes a five year cycle.  Based on an annual distribution of 7,000 coloring books, a six year cycle would be achieved.
  • Approximately fifteen individuals sent written thank you messages to EAPUOC for their efforts in promoting pipeline and utility awareness.
  • Approximately thirty “Underground Awareness Presentations” were given, inclusive of “Underground Awareness Training” to students, as well as to management types to assess the presentation for their staff.
  • The Federation of Gas Coops, Daylight Energy and Perpetual Energy are all evaluating membership in EAPUOC.
  • SAIT would like to make a presentation to EAPUOC regarding their “Advanced Line Locator Certificate Program” currently being developed.
  • A couple of new Members were added to the Membership.
  • EAPUOC’s Promotional Kit was completed and distributed to all Members.  Copies can be obtained from Judy McBride.
  • For better exposure/awareness, the radio advertisements were moved to a different station (K-97 Capital FM 96.3).
  • The Chair attended the 2010 ADPC meetings representing TELUS and EAPUOC.
  • GRONK attended numerous events throughout the year.

In closing, I’d like to thank the Committee Members for all their hard working during 2010.

Respectfully Submitted

John VanDomselaar,
Chair, Community Awareness Committee