November Election Results

Thank you to everyone that took the time to vote in this election.  Your vote is your voice in determining how our country is governed.  After all the negative campaign ads and mailings, the only thing that matters is the votes.

I am proud to share an update of the election results with you.  As you can see, the results are what the MPFFU Executive Board and myself were hoping for. The MPFFU Executive Board endorsed candidates that we believed would support firefighter and labor issues and most of our endorsed candidates won.  We are looking forward to the next two years as we lobby for our firefighter issues with some labor-friendly legislators.

I also want to thank those of you that contributed to the MPFFU Fire PAC. Your contributions, and those we received from the IAFF, greatly assisted in getting our candidates elected.  I also want to thank our lobbyist, Melissa McKinley, for her advice and assistance in all phases of our legislative program.

• Click here for information on Michigan Statewide and Congressional elections
• Click here for information on Michigan State House of Representatives elections
• Click here for information on Michigan State Senate elections

 MPFFU Podcasts Are Now Available

MPFFU Podcast - Episode 6 - The Health and Safety Committee

The MPFFU Podcast Episode 6 is NOW AVAILABLE!

In this episode, I sit down with Larry Gambotto and John Schwall.  Larry Gambotto is the Captain of Training and Safety with the Rochester Hills Fire Department local 3472, as well as a member of the MPFFU Health and Safety Committee.  John Schwall is a shift Captain with the Ferndale Fire Department local 812 and is also a member of the MPFFU Health and Safety Committee. 

During this episode, Larry and John will help us appreciate the value of understanding the role and functions of MPFFU and its locals.  Then, they’ll describe the role of the MPFFU Health and Safety Committee.  In doing so, Larry and John will describe the committee’s current priorities regarding promoting firefighter health and safety.  We will finish by discussing how members can get informed, educated, and involved with the Health and Safety Committee goals and initiatives.  


MPFFU Podcast - Episode 5 - The Union Education Committee is NOW AVAILABLE!

In this episode, we’re joined by Mickey Wiewiura and Matt Sahr.  Matt Sahr is a firefighter paramedic with the city of Eastpointe local 1561, as well as the president of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Association.  He’s also the one responsible for getting this podcast off the ground and out to our members.  Mickey Wiewiura retired from the Dearborn Heights FD Local 1355 and is currently the MPFFU Eastern Trustee and Chair of the Union Education Committee.

During this episode, Mickey and Matt help us appreciate the value of understanding the role and functions of MPFFU and its locals.  Then, they describe the role of the MPFFU Union Education Committee.  We will finish by discussing how members can get informed, educated, and involved with the Union Education Committee initiatives. 

MPFFU Podcast - Episode 4 - The Recruitment & Retention Committee

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Korycki, who has a long history and depth of experience as a professional firefighter and an active union representative at the local and state level.  Scott is a current firefighter paramedic with Dearborn Fire Department local 412, as well as the MPFFU Recruitment and Retention Committee Chairperson. 

During this episode, Scott will appreciate the value of understanding the role and functions of MPFFU and its locals.  Then, he’ll Describe the role of the MPFFU Recruitment and Retention Committee, as well as their current functions and objectives.  Finally, Scott will describe how MPFFU members can get informed, educated, and/or directly involved with the MPFFU Recruitment & Retention Committee, as well as its goals and objectives.

MPFFU Podcast - Episode 3 - The Political Education Committee

 In this episode, we introduce Scott Bala, who has a long history and depth of experience as a professional firefighter and an active union representative at the local and state level.  Scott recently retired from the Roseville FD (Local 1614) as a Battalion Chief with 30 years of service. Scott is currently the 6^th District VP and the Chairperson of the MPFFU Political Education Committee.  Like it or not, politics plays a huge role in our professional life and Scott is here to help us understand why and how the MPFFU actively participates in the election process by endorsing candidates that support our core issues.  In this episode, Scott will help us appreciate the value of understanding the role and functions of MPFFU and its locals.  Then, he’ll describe the role of the Political Education Committee, as well as discuss key considerations for the upcoming elections in November 2022.  We finish off the conversation with Scott’s recommendation regarding how MPFFU members can get informed, educated, and involved with Political Education Committee initiatives. 

MPFFU Podcast - Episode 2 - The Behavioral Health Committee

In the second episode of the MPFFU Podcast, we are joined by Mike Mattern is a LT with Dearborn FD Local 412, as well as a Peer Support member and the Chairperson of the MPFFU Mental Health Committee.  During this episode, Mike will help us appreciate the value of the MPFFU and its locals.  Then, he’ll describe the role and functions of the MPFFU Behavior Health Committee and tell where you can find more information.  Finally, Mike will provide an overview of the Wayne State University Frontline Strong Together program which was collaboratively created by first responders and mental health experts. 

Frontline strong provides 24/7 live support, effective resources, and cutting-edge services to prevent and alleviate PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other frontline work-related mental health challenges. Go to FST5.org for more information.

NEED HELP NOW? If you are experiencing any crisis— work related, substance abuse, depression, relationships, financial, or any other, reach out by calling 1-833-34-STRONG.  Check out the show notes for additional details.

 In this first episode of the MPFFU Podcast, we are joined by Matt Sahr, the relatively newly elected MPFFU President, as well as a firefighter paramedic with the Eastpointe Fire Department.  We’re also joined by Terry Chesney, the Godfather himself, a retired Trenton firefighter and long-time MPFFU Secretary Treasurer who is a fountain of knowledge and experience for all things MPFFU. Finally, our conversation also includes Michael O’Hearon who is the MPFFU long-time legal counsel. 

During this episode, our guests will help us appreciate the value of understanding the role, functions, and structure of the IAFF and the MPFFU.  Then, we’ll describe how members can get informed, educated, and involved with the IAFF and MPFFU initiatives and functions.

The intent and purpose of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighter Union (MPFFU) Podcast (official name TBD) is to support the mission to improve wages, working hours, and working conditions for its members through the dissemination of evidence-based relevant information, resources, and strategies. To accomplish this, the MPFFU podcast will provide reliable, factual, and actionable information that strengthens, empowers, and supports MPFFU members and locals through united action.  Contact us at MPFFUpodcast@gmail.com

Find us on Instagram @m.p.f.f.u. And please subscribe to the Michigan Professional Fire Fighter Union YouTube channel where you’ll find all sorts of informative and funny podcast content.   

 Fire Service Legislative Log as of August 1, 2022

A comprehensive list of legislation that is being monitored by the MPFFU on behalf of our membership.

The IAFF/MPFFU Political Training Academy

The MPFFU recently hosted the IAFF Political Training Academy in Novi on October 24th & 25th. Eighteen members from locals across the State attended. The class was taught by specially trained IAFF instructors: Cody Leever (President of Indiana Local 1262) and Christopher (Blue) Bartley, Directory of IAFF Government Affairs State Policy & Legislative Representative.

The IAFF Political Department developed this two-day IAFF State/Provincial Elections and Political Capacity Development Program to provide students with hands-on political training and access to statewide/provincial campaign experts and resources. The goals for the State and Provincial PTA are to provide members modern and up-to-date campaign skills, building a network of local leaders capable of managing small-scale local campaigns or playing key roles in larger state/provincial wide efforts and to enhance, and where absent build, increased political campaign capacity and structures in the state/provincial associations.  

Click here to see an award winning video about the right and wrong way to work the polls for a candidate or a Fire/EMS ballot issue

McColl-Delegato Labor School Scholarship Award Recipients

The MPFFU Executive Board is pleased to announce that the following members have been awarded the 2023 MPFFU McColl-Delegato Labor School Scholarships.  The Wayne State University Labor Leadership Development School has been educating union leaders and activists for over 50 years. 

The Delegato/McColl Scholarship was created for active members of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to become union leaders at the state, local, and international level.  This scholarship is intended to educate less experienced union members in an effort to prevent knowledge gaps at the state and local level created by the departure of many of our distinguished union leaders.

This year, the MPFFU received a record number of applications for the Scholarship.  After reviewing the applications, the MPFFU Executive Board decided to award each of these outstanding individuals the scholarship this year rather than making several of them apply in future years.  Congratulations to each of you!

LATEST MICHIGAN COV-ID NEWS

A grant was recently awarded to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, to study PFAS levels in firefighters across the state. The State Fire Marshal and the MPFFU have been assisting with developing the study and to educate our membership on why they are needed to be involved in it.  View this webinar to learn more about how the study will be conducted and what firefighters will be asked to take part in it.

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