Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union - PEP Event

Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union - PEP Event
The Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union (MPFFU) will host an IAFF Partnership Education Program (PEP) Event on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 at Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, MI. Don’t miss the opportunity to network with a diverse group of members and learn new skills and resources for facing your local’s unique challenges.
When
11/4/2025 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where
Suburban Collection Showplace Hyatt Place Detroit/Novi 46080 Grand River Ave Novi, MI 48374

Program


Tuesday, 04 November 2025

Description
Conducting Negotiations: Collective Bargaining
Actively negotiating a contract is one of the most important functions IAFF affiliate leadership can perform for members and is the key ingredient in fire fighter–employer relations. In this workshop, you will learn how to create ground rules that benefit unions, participate in mock negotiation sessions and learn how to apply bargaining techniques.
Time
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11/4/2025 8:00 AM

Introduction to Public Relations
A strategic public relations program will enable your local to use public support to achieve its goals and handle an unforeseen crisis. By communicating effectively with the public and local officials, a union is more likely to secure better wages for its members, improve staffing and avoid budget cuts. This workshop is designed to give you the tools and tactics you need to set up a successful public relations program for your local.
Time
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11/4/2025 8:00 AM

Staffing for Safety: An Introduction
Fire suppression and emergency medical activities are labor-intensive jobs that require an adequate number of fire fighters on scene to safely and effectively protect property and save lives. Studies by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and updates to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 standards have shown that inadequate staffing can result in unnecessary loss of life and property and serious injury to fire fighters and the citizens they protect. In this workshop, you will be introduced to standards and studies that indicate best practices regarding staffing and that help you make decisions regarding staffing in your community.
Time
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11/4/2025 8:00 AM

Fundamentals of Costing Contract Proposals
Wages represent a significant portion of contract negotiations, but to successfully negotiate improvements to compensation, affiliate leaders must thoroughly understand their contracts and the true economic cost of their current agreements. Before presenting management with proposed improvements at the negotiation table, affiliate leaders need to have a firm grasp of how the improvements they seek will impact the totality of a contract’s costs. This workshop will introduce students to the key concepts required to conduct a successful contract costing exercise and the fundamental processes of costing base salary, fringe benefits and proposed increases for a multi-year contract.
Time
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11/4/2025 10:30 AM

Local Union Administration
Designed to help affiliate leaders achieve goals for their locals, this course teaches the skills necessary to be effective in any role as a union officer. Information is provided on the duties of each local union officer, as well as the responsibilities of the executive board and other committees in the local. It will also acquaint participants with the various services and assistance available from the IAFF.
Time
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11/4/2025 10:30 AM

Media Strategies and Messaging
It is important for affiliate leaders to have a media strategy, which should be a part of the overarching public relations campaign. This workshop will address components of media strategy, including understanding why a local should have a media strategy; knowing the considerations when developing a media strategy; constructing appropriate messaging based on delivery type and source; and understanding the importance of building coalitions.
Time
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11/4/2025 10:30 AM

Frontline Union Representative Basics
This workshop addresses the knowledge and skills involved in effectively enforcing contract provisions and representing workers’ rights with your fire service management and jurisdiction. It will introduce and explore the issues and best practices involved in handling grievances, enforcing contract language and handling discipline issues. Additionally, this workshop reviews ways that key union personnel can inform membership on the benefits of union membership and active involvement.
Time
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
11/4/2025 1:30 PM

Social Media
Using social media to communicate with members and the community has become commonplace for affiliate leaders. This module will help affiliate leaders recognize several social media tools that are common in today’s society and learn how to use them safely and effectively to strengthen their local’s social media presence. It will also help leaders understand several guidelines for proper use and how to communicate effectively with their local and the community.
Time
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
11/4/2025 1:30 PM

Understanding Municipal Budgets
Involvement in your municipal budget process will help ensure that fire suppression, rescue and EMS delivery are top priorities in your community. This session provides an overview of the components of a municipal budget, as well as real-life case studies that demonstrate skills leaders need to succeed in this arena. Participants will learn that taking an active role in the budgeting process can reduce the fights over funds after the budget is passed. This is an opportunity for participants to learn how to create their future, not have it dictated to them.
Time
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
11/4/2025 1:30 PM

I don't know my password

Members:
Don't have a username/email?

Back to Top