The Safety Moment by Utility Safety Partners

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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   

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Ever wonder what it's like to boldly go beneath the waves in your own personal submarine? 

Mike Sullivan reconnects with childhood friend and submersible pioneer Charles “Chuck” Kohnen, CEO of SEAmagine. 

Together, they dive deep—literally and figuratively—into Chuck’s journey of building state-of-the-art personal and scientific submarines in California. 

Along the way, Charles shares stories of exploring uncharted ocean depths, discovering unknown species, and witnessing the tangible effects of climate change underwater. 

Listen For:

0:15 Reuniting After 42 Years: From high school to submarines

5:23 Star Trek Dreams and Choosing Engineering Over Art

17:28 Accidental Shark Discovery and Scientific Fame

26:15 Who Buys a Personal Submarine? The Rise of Billionaire Buyers

31:30 Climate Change Below: 30°C Water at 100m Depth

39:04 Whale Shark Encounters and Nature’s Raw Power

45:04 OceanGate, Regulation, and Building Safe Subs

Connect with guest Charles Kohnen

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Safety outreach with a digital twist — what’s changing and why it matters?

Mike Sullivan sits down with Kassi Zaba, Manager of Stakeholder Relations, to uncover the evolution of utility safety outreach in Alberta. 

Together, they reflect on their shared 14-year journey, from fax machines and phone calls to a fully digitized “click-before-you-dig” system and the upcoming launch of the Look Up and Live app to promote overhead powerline safety.

They also discuss the growing role of digital marketing, public awareness campaigns, and even touch on the philosophical challenge of balancing public education with infrastructure security. 

Listen For:

1:30 Meet Kassi Zaba: From phones to stakeholder relations

4:05 From faxes to clicks: Alberta OneCall’s digital leap

9:07 Mandating the “click before you dig” revolution

13:35 Geofencing & targeting gamers for utility safety

17:32 The rise of the Ambassador Program

31:54 Look Up and Live: A new safety tool is coming

36:57 Navigating the public awareness paradox

Connect with guest Kassi Zaba

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What if the next big thing in utility safety isn’t underground—but overhead? 

Mike Sullivan sits down with Nathan Coutu from ATCO Electric to spotlight the groundbreaking "Lookup and Live" application, a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing overhead power line contacts. 

Nathan shares how this Alberta-wide, GIS-based mobile and web app helps users visualize and safely navigate around energized overhead lines—especially crucial for agricultural, construction, and utility workers. 

Drawing inspiration from similar successes in Australia and Saskatchewan, he reveals the collaborative journey of Alberta utilities working together for public safety, the staggering contact statistics that prompted action, and the powerful simplicity of a solution that could save lives. 

If you’ve ever thought "I knew the power line was there—I just didn’t see it this time," this episode could be a game-changer.

Listen For:

3:48 The Birth of “Lookup and Live” in Alberta

5:16 From “Where’s the Line” to a Province-Wide Collaboration

7:22 The Overhead Threat You Keep Ignoring

16:51 50% Fewer Incidents: What Australia Taught Us

24:52 The Push for Simplicity and Adoption

27:20 Breaking Through Data Sharing Barriers

Connect with guest Nathan Coutu

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Think locating underground utilities is as simple as spray paint and flags? Think again.

Mike Sullivan sits down with Jimmy Yip, Damage Prevention Manager at Fortis BC, to bust myths and unravel the often-misunderstood process of locating and marking utilities in British Columbia. 

They dive into the historical roots of BC's unique paper-based locate model, how regulations shape responses, and why empowering excavators with responsibility has reduced damages over the decades. 

From comparing provincial damage rates to exploring the Alternate Locate Provider (ALP) program in Alberta, this conversation highlights how thoughtful process design and solid data can drive down incidents while keeping public safety top of mind.

Listen For:

3:13 Alberta's Alternate Locate Provider (ALP): A Game Changer

9:00 Why Paper Locates Work in BC

18:44 Comparing Damage Stats: BC vs Alberta

20:19 Decades of Data: Damage Trends Over Time

24:56 Why 65% of Damages Are From Not Calling

36:38 Power Dashboards: Transparent Data Sharing

Connect with guest Jimmy Yip

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What do jazz drumming, data analytics, and underground safety have in common? 

Mike Sullivan catches up with longtime friend and damage prevention pioneer JD Maniscalco for a heartwarming, insightful, and often hilarious conversation. 

JD—former President and CEO of Colorado 811 and co-creator of the DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool)—reflects on his career, the origins and evolution of DIRT, and the critical role data plays in improving safety across North America. 

From late-night band gigs in Vegas to building revolutionary safety tools in his kitchen, JD shares his journey with wisdom and wit. 

Along the way, Mike and JD swap music stories, talk tech, and dive into how predictive AI and local report cards could shape the future of damage prevention. 

Listen For:

06:30 – The Birth of the Conference Band

13:13 – The Origin Story of DIRT

26:00 – Data Report Cards: Simplicity Meets Accountability

38:11 – Click vs Call: A Data-Driven Divide

51:17 – The Future of DIRT: AI and Predictive Safety

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Are you ready for the ultimate safety conference with a hockey twist? 

Mike Sullivan takes us behind the scenes of the upcoming Utility Safety Partners Safety Conference in Edmonton, featuring a unique hockey-themed event. 

Mike highlights exciting sessions, committee meetings, and a chance to win a one-of-a-kind goalie mask, designed by a renowned artist.

From engaging educational panels to the special recognition of industry leaders, this episode brings a fresh take on safety awareness while blending fun and valuable learning experiences. 

Don’t miss out on the details about this incredible event and more! 

Listen For:

01:15 - Details about the Safety Conference and Training Sessions

05:30 - The Goldie Mask Raffle: A Unique Conference Giveaway

11:17 - Committee Strength: Utility Safety Partners’ Growth and Achievements

19:33 - Balancing Online Mandates for Homeowners: A Look at Alberta’s Future

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Pipelines are more than steel in the ground—they’re built on passion, resilience, and community. 

Mike Sullivan chats with David Hermanson, host of Support Pipelines, about the realities of working in an industry that’s often misunderstood. 

From career journeys and mentorship to shifting regulations and public perception, they explore the challenges and rewards of pipeline life. 

David also shares how his podcast became a platform for industry voices and why paying it forward is key to keeping the community strong. 

Listen For:

04:33 – Smarter Project Planning

18:34 – Pipelines vs. Public Perception

30:10 – Safety Lessons from Tragedy

40:17 – How Support Pipelines Began

Guest David Hermanson

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