Professional Services
MAFF Stewards and Local Executive Board Members can stay up-to-date on key labor relations issues by registering today for free summer and fall MAFF Seminars and Trainings.
The Seminars and Trainings will be conducted by MAFF Executive Director Fred Timpner and Assistant Executive
Director Jerald James. Members may attend in-person or join via Zoom. Zoom attendees will receive an invite link to participate.
The Friday Seminars and Trainings are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MAFF Office. Lunch will be served.
Expand your knowledge about these Union-related topics on the following dates:
- Union Steward Training – July 21 & Oct. 20, 2023
- Grievance Seminars – Discipline & Contract Interpretation – Aug. 18 & Nov. 17, 2023
- Collective Bargaining Training – Sept. 15, 2023
Please contact Julie Palmquist at (248) 509-7160, Ext. 231 or email her at
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.”
Flat Rock Fire Department has an opening for a part-time Firefighter/Paramedic/EMT or those willing to attend additional education or training.
Candidates for the part-time position must be a Firefighter/Paramedic or a Paramedic willing to attend firefighting school or EMT training/education.
Click here for more information about the part-time position.
Click here for applications available online or visit Flat Rock City Clerk’s Office.
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
MAFF Executive Board Secretary Tracy Camelet, a Livingston County EMS Paramedic, was honored by the Union with a MAFF Special Recognition Award for four decades of service.
“When she started EMS 40 years ago, latex gloves were not a thing,” said MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jerald James. “She may very well be the longest serving female Paramedic in the State of Michigan. When you hear of someone who has made that kind of sacrifice, it’s truly a remarkable feat.”
Camelet was surprised with the award during the 2021 MAP Annual Holiday Open House in December.
“She’s one of the most humble people I’ve ever met,” James said. “She helped with negotiations and grievances. So many times, we hear about our Police Officers and Firefighters, but to have a person who has responded to 50,000 9-1-1 calls truly shows a commitment to the health and safety of the citizens and visitors of Livingston County.”
Her dedication to MAFF is evident. Instead of winding down before her planned retirement March 1, 2023, Camelet opted to take on additional Union responsibilities. She was elected Treasurer of the MAFF Executive Board in late 2021 and elected Local Union Vice President in October 2021. Prior to that, she served as Local Union President for six years before taking a couple years off. In 2021, she and former Local Vice President, Autumn Millerov, ran for each other’s former roles.
“Autumn and I are a team,” Camelet said. “Now she’s President and I’m Vice President because I knew I was going to be leaving.”
Camelet has served 35 years with Livingston County EMS and has been a MAFF member for the past 12 years.
“I started in 1981 with the ambulance attendance license,” she said. “That was advanced first aid. Then I obtained my EMT license in 1982. Then I got my medic license in December 1985 and I hired into the County in September 1986.”
By Jennifer Gomori, MAFF Editor
Novi Paid-on-Call Fire Lieutenant Mark Pehrson was honored with the 2020 Richard C. Heins Outstanding Leadership Award for protecting Paid-on-Call positions while greatly improving MAFF Union members’ wages and benefits throughout his career.
Pehrson received the award at the MAP Holiday Open House in December 2021 since the 2020 Open House was canceled due to pandemic-related protocols. He has served as MAFF Local Union President for the past 16 years, successfully negotiating several Novi Paid-on-Call contracts, including the group’s current six-year bargaining agreement.
“As you know Mark has been the President of the Novi Paid-on-Call Firefighters Union for a number of years. He continues to be re-elected by the Members due to his outstanding leadership qualities as Union President,” wrote MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Joe O’Connor in his letter of recommendation for the award. “Mark has been instrumental in negotiating the last three contracts (that I am personally aware of), the last being a six-year contract with increases each year. He keeps the local Members well informed on the day-to-day operation and has the demeanor needed when dealing with the Employer.”
Pehrson approaches every concern with the Employer armed with well-documented facts supporting the Union’s position. His preparedness combined with treating others with respect often resolves issues by changing the perspective of the Employer, O’Connor said.
“He was thorough, brought in good data when he came to the table,” O’Connor said. “The local City Council is very supportive of Paid-on-Call and were able to draft in bonuses for Firefighters who would work a certain number of hours. The more they worked, the higher the bonuses. Plus, if they met the requirement of their mandatory shift, they got a bonus for that. They did this because of a joint effort of four people from Paid-on-Call, but Mark took the lead on the information coming from Paid-on-Call.”
His leadership abilities are not only displayed in the roles he takes on within his department, but by the way he handles issues of concern.
“He just has an easygoing demeanor, not wild or unreasonable. He presents his side of the case very well with documented facts that are hard to dispute,” O’Connor said. “He already has facts to cover any argument he has with them as to why the decision should be his way. He can provide all kinds of data on why things are the way they are or should be that way.”
