Missouri 811 Welcomes Tim Bean to the Damage Prevention Team

Protecting people, property, and communities has been a constant throughout Tim Bean’s career. Now, after more than four decades of public service, Tim is bringing that experience to Missouri 811 as the newest member of our Damage Prevention Team.

Tim joins Missouri 811 as a Damage Prevention Specialist serving Southeast Missouri, where he will work directly with excavators, utility members, homeowners, local governments, and other stakeholders to promote safe excavation practices and help prevent damage to Missouri’s underground infrastructure.

A Career Dedicated to Public Safety

Born and raised in West Plains, Missouri, Tim graduated from West Plains High School in 1980 and began his professional career with the West Plains Police Department in 1984. At the same time, he served his community as a volunteer firefighter with both the West Plains Fire Department and the Howell County Rural Fire Department.

In 1996, Tim joined the West Plains Fire Department full-time as Assistant Chief while continuing to serve as a reserve police officer. Five years later, he was appointed Fire Chief, a position he held until February 2017.

Tim’s commitment to public safety eventually took him from West Plains to Jefferson City, where he was appointed Missouri State Fire Marshal, overseeing the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. He served in that role until retiring in June 2026 before joining the Missouri 811 team.

Throughout his career, Tim has worked alongside first responders, local governments, utilities, community leaders, and others with a shared responsibility for protecting Missouri communities. That experience provides a natural foundation for his new role in damage prevention.

Bringing a Prevention Mindset to Missouri 811

Damage prevention is about more than placing a locate request. It requires education, communication, planning, and cooperation among everyone involved in an excavation project.

Those principles have also been central to Tim’s career in fire prevention, emergency response, and public safety.

Damage Prevention Manager Charlie Peel said Tim’s experience in law enforcement, fire service, emergency management, and state government reflects a lifelong commitment to protecting lives, property, and the communities he serves.

“As a former Fire Chief and Missouri State Fire Marshal, Tim brings a unique perspective on the importance of prevention, communication, and safe work practices,” Charlie said. “His experience working alongside first responders, local governments, utilities, and community leaders will be a tremendous asset as we continue to advance damage prevention efforts across Missouri.”

That experience will now be put to work helping Missouri excavators and utility stakeholders understand their responsibilities, improve safe digging practices, and ultimately reduce damages to underground facilities.

Welcome to Missouri 811, Tim. We’re glad to have you on the team.

Tim joins a statewide team of Damage Prevention Specialists led by Damage Prevention Manager Charlie Peel. Together, they serve as Missouri 811’s Hub for Damage Prevention, a resource for excavators, utility members, homeowners, municipalities, locators, and other damage prevention stakeholders throughout the state.

The goal of the Hub for Damage Prevention is simple: provide the information, education, training, and support needed to help prevent underground utility damages and keep Missouri safe.

Missouri 811’s Damage Prevention Specialists are available to assist with questions and training involving:

✓ Missouri One Call law and compliance
✓ Marking standards
✓ Ticket types and ticket management
✓ Excavation safety and safe digging practices
✓ Damage investigations
✓ Project coordination
✓ Internet ticketing
✓ Utility membership and onboarding
✓ Homeowner assistance

And when you need more than an answer over the phone, the team can come to you.

Missouri 811 offers FREE jobsite and classroom training that can be customized around the needs of your company, organization, or crew. Whether you need a refresher on Missouri’s One Call requirements, have new employees who need training, or want to address specific damage prevention issues your crews are encountering in the field, the Hub for Damage Prevention is here to help.

Find Your Damage Prevention Specialist

Missouri 811’s new Damage Prevention Specialist Territory Map makes it easy to identify the specialist serving your part of the state.

Your Damage Prevention Specialist is available as a resource before, during, and after an excavation project.

Whether you have a question about Missouri’s One Call law, need assistance understanding the locate process, want help addressing a damage prevention issue, or would like to schedule FREE jobsite or classroom training for your crew, reach out to the Damage Prevention Specialist serving your area.

Visit the Missouri 811 Staff Page to find your Damage Prevention Specialist and their contact information:

https://missouri-811.org/about/missouri-811-staff/

Safety is in Your Hands. Every Dig. Every Time.