Message from the Director

Staying safe during COVID-19

By Fred Timpner, MAFF Executive Director

This country is facing a state of emergency like no previous generations of Americans have ever faced before. It is not the time for politics, blame or recriminations. If one wants to engage in that sort of thing, there will be plenty of time for that later. Now is the time that we all should band together to support the effort to combat this insidious disease.

As first responders and public employees, the very nature of our professions puts us in the forefront of the battle against the spread of COVID-19. Our work puts us in high risk of being exposed, if not infected with the virus.

As such we are advising everyone to put your safety and that of your family first. We are insisting for those of us who continue to work, the Employer provide the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) recommended by the CDC and the medical profession. In other words, N95 or greater masks, disinfectant etc.

If the Employer balks at issuing appropriate PPE or refuses to follow CDC guidelines, then please notify your labor representative immediately so that we may bring pressure to force the Employer to comply. After all, isn’t it to their advantage to see to it that we are protected? We are of no use if we become sick or infected. We then become spreaders of the virus infecting others we come into contact with, including our Employer, co-workers and members of the public.

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Fire Fighting Union sues National Fire Protection Association over PFAs in turnout gear

A Fire Fighters Union-initiated lawsuit in New England could lead to changes for firefighting agencies nationwide.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has sued the National Fire Protection Association over a rule that sets the standards for the ideal protective material inside firefighting turnout gear. The IAFF alleges PFAs are the only component that can meet the criteria, therefore putting firefighters at increased risk of contracting cancer.

Click here for more information in a WPDE news article about the lawsuit.

Reserve your spot today for 33rd Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing

Don’t delay! Insure your spot today for the 33rd Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing benefiting local students pursuing a higher education.

This year’s outing will be held Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Links of Novi Golf Course. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis on or before May 22, 2023.

The fun-filled MAFF-organized day on the course features 18 holes of golf, a riding cart, refreshments on the course, and hot dog and chips at the turn. Join fellow golfers at the end of the round for a steak dinner, competition prizes, raffles, and the Carl Parsell Scholarship Awards ceremony.

The cost to participate is $150 per golfer or $600 per foursome. Opportunities to sponsor a hole are also available for $250. Sponsors will be recognized with a sign at their sponsored hole. All donations are tax deductible.

Proceeds from the Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing directly fund the MAFF Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund. At least $5,000 in scholarships will be awarded in 2023, adding to the $138,000 the Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund has contributed to deserving scholars over the years.

Click here for more details and here to download the golf outing registration form and sponsorship registration form.

Detroit Tigers Law Enforcement Appreciation game tickets on sale

In appreciation of Law Enforcement and all Public Safety, the Detroit Tigers are offering exclusive ticket packages for their June 12th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation game.

Ticket prices start at $31 for the 6:40 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves, which benefits National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors (MI-COPS). Game ticket packages are available to Law Enforcement and Public Safety members, their families, friends, and the general public.

Get your discounted tickets today, which include a commemorative jersey (limited to 1,200 available) and donations to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors (MI-COPS). A variety of jersey sizes will be ordered and available on game day on a first come first served basis for package buyers only. To redeem for the jersey, please visit the kiosk behind Section 332 before the end of the 4th inning.

Click here to order tickets. For groups of 10 or more or for additional information, please contact Betsy Bouillon by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Country music singer Frank Ray is stopping by limited Detroit-area Law Enforcement agencies and Police Union offices on June 12 to say thanks and meet and greet with Law Enforcement Officers during the day. Ray is a former Police Officer from Texas.

To arrange a visit, email Brent Clark at NLEOMF at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Click here for Frank Ray's bio.

Michigan International Speedway honors First Responders, Public Safety with special ticket package

Michigan International Speedway (MIS) and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) are teaming up to celebrate and honor the commitment of First Responders, Law Enforcement and Public Safety personnel during the Michigan International Speedway NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

Specially priced tickets for the 2:30 p.m. race start at just $50.00 and include an exclusive Michigan International Speedway branded Challenge Coin and $10 from each ticket will be donated to the NLEOMF. 

This offer is available to all First Responders, Law Enforcement, Public Safety and Corrections personnel, friends, family, and the general public.

Click here to order tickets and for more details.

For questions, group orders, or to avoid service fees, contact MIS Account Executive Shea Daley at (607) 300-6103 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

MAFF staff firefighting experience, strong reputation key for Grand Blanc Twp. Part-Time Firefighters

By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor

Over the past decade, Grand Blanc Township Fire Department changed the way it operates, transitioning from a Paid-on-Call to a staffed department. Now, the Part-Time Firefighters want stronger, more experienced representation, so they chose Michigan Association of Fire Fighters (MAFF).

Grand Blanc Township had an entirely Paid-on-Call department responding to more than 600 calls per year until voters approved a millage in 2010. That allowed the fire department to hire Full-Time and Part-Time Firefighters to staff a fire station around the clock.

The group was with their former Union for the past decade, but as the department continues transitioning away from a Paid-on-Call operation, the Part-Time Firefighters were looking for better representation that is more in tune with their changing needs, said Ryan Jeltema, Grand Blanc Township Part-Time Firefighters Local Union Secretary.

With about 30 Part-Time Firefighters, they wanted a Union that understood their specific concerns. In February 2023, they voted in favor of MAFF following an impressive MAFF presentation, which included their new Labor Relations Specialist Gregg Allen.

“I really came away with a feeling these are the guys I want fighting for me in negotiations, in a grievance,” Jeltema said. “They understand the issues that are important to me and have the knowledge and experience to get in a fight and get things done for us.”

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Good Luck 2023 Carl Parsell Scholarship applicants

Thank you 2023 Carl Parsell Scholarship applicants and good luck! The application period has closed for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications in March and April and complete selections in May. Carl Parsell Scholarship recipients will be notified by June 1, 2023 and formally recognized during the 33rd Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Golf Outing on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Funds raised during the golf outing determine the number of scholarships that are awarded annually. The maximum award per student is $2,500 and scholarship funds are sent directly to the recipient’s college or university in July or August.

Carl Parsell Scholarships may be used to pay for educational expenses including: tuition, living expenses, and other required fees during the 2023-24 academic year. The award may be used to attend any United States accredited university, college, community college, junior college, two- or four-year accredited degree-granting institution, or vocational training institution that grants a certification or license. Eligible candidates must complete a high school education or its equivalent by June 30, 2023.

Governor delivers tributes to MSU shooting First Responders, Dispatchers, medical professionals

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced she will be delivering tributes to 25 public safety agencies, 9-1-1 Dispatchers and Sparrow Hospital medical professionals for their critical lifesaving response to the Michigan State University shooting.

MAP-represented unit, Livingston County Sheriff's Lieutenants, is among the agencies recognized for acting to secure Michigan State’s campus and save lives while medical professionals are working to treat the five students who were injured in the Feb. 13 shooting. The public safety and medical professionals worked together in response to a gunman who opened fire at Michigan State University (MSU) killing three students and injuring five others.

"I want to thank the first responders for their swift actions to keep people safe and save lives,” Whitmer said. "Officers answered the call from hours away and put their lives on the line to secure campus and so many off-duty nurses and doctors showed up to Sparrow to volunteer that they had to turn people away. These Michiganders are the best of us and their heroism deserves recognition. Together, we will support the MSU community and tackle gun violence, which is a top public safety and public health priority. I look forward to working with our first responders and health care professionals to pursue commonsense reform and save lives.” 

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