OCSI’s 50th Anniversary Recognition Finds its Rightful Owner

OCSI’s 50th Anniversary Recognition Finds its Rightful Owner

A few weeks ago, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) recognized the 50th anniversary of One Call Systems International (OCSI) at its 2025 CGA Conference to honor the pivotal role OCSI has played in the development and global promotion of safe excavation practices and underground damage prevention. Notification Centre leaders across North America were presented with a memento marking the anniversary.

Since its founding in 1975, OCSI has been instrumental in creating and advancing the One-Call concept—an essential system that allows excavators, contractors, and the public to easily notify utility operators of planned digging activities, helping to prevent damage to critical infrastructure like gas, electric, water, and telecommunications lines. Over five decades, OCSI helped standardize notification systems, promote public awareness, and foster international cooperation around the idea that "calling before you dig" saves lives, protects property, and preserves vital services.

As Utility Safety Partners’ President, I was honoured to receive the memento from CGA President, Sarah Magruder Lyle, but I wasn’t deserving of it. The real pioneer behind Alberta’s involvement with OCSI is Bob Chisholm who was President of Alberta One-Call from 1989 to 2011—some of its most formative years and possibly some of OCSI’s most formative as well.

Bob stands among a distinguished group whose vision and dedication have shaped the evolution of One Call services into the critical public safety and infrastructure protection Notification Centre networks they are today.

Under Bob’s leadership, Alberta One-Call expanded its reach, implemented technological improvements, and strengthened partnerships across the utility, construction, and municipal sectors. As an advocate for unified, best-practice approaches across North America, he contributed to the broader mission of OCSI, fostering cross-border knowledge exchange and helping to lay the groundwork for what is now a globally respected model for safe excavation notification services.

As OCSI celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s fitting that Bob is honored as Alberta’s rightful owner and steward of OCSI’s 50th Anniversary memento. In very Canadian fashion (and without the fanfare), I presented Bob with the memento at a local Tim Horton’s where we had a good ol’ chinwag.

Mike Sullivan – President, Utility Safety Partners