M.A.F.F. Fire Safety Programs a Success!

The Michigan Association of Fire Fighters makes available to all schools in Michigan a program called “Learn Not To Burn”. This fire safety program consists of 4 Volumes, kindergarten through 3rd grade and a special version designed for preschool. The "Learn Not To Burn" resource books aid in teaching children about fire safety and include evaluation forms to test children's fire safety knowledge. The books also encourage family involvement in fire safety by providing family fire safety activities, such as developing a home emergency escape plan, taking an inventory of home smoke detectors, holiday fire safety and more.

Michigan Association of Fire Fighters thus far has provided hundreds of schools with the "Learn Not To Burn" program. We encourage all schools to participate.

Stuffed Animals for Emergencies

Michigan's SAFE - (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies) volunteer and local chapter representative, Stephanie Herring contacted MAFF Program office to offer the SAFE program to interested police and fire departments.

SAFE (founded in 1997) accepts new and gently used stuffed animals (SAFE volunteers wash, clean, repair, and add bows and decorations to the stuffed animals to make them like new again) to redistribute to Police, Fire & Rescue, Ambulance Services, Children's Homes, Hospitals, Life Flight, and other emergency organizations. The emergency organizations use the stuffed animals to ease the children's nerves and calm their fears when they are caught in traumatic, emotional, and transitional situations.

Emergency personnel looking to receive gently used or new Stuffed Animals For Emergencies may obtain additional information by contacting the MAFF Office at 1-800-368-1159.

Those interested in donating stuffed animals may contact Suzanne Baker directly at the following email address: suzbaker@twmi.rr.com

You may visit the SAFE website at the following address: http://stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org/chapters.htm

Flashpoint
Spring 2006

Tips for Baby-sitters

When you go out for dinner or a movie and leave your children in the care of a baby-sitter, you would like to believe that everything will be o.k. In order for that to happen, be sure your baby-sitter has been through a class offered through your local community education program, a church or other community program which prepares them to take on those responsibilities. Always leave your pager and/or cell phone number as well as the restaurant or movie theater where you will be attending, so you can be notified if an emergency arises. Here are some tips regarding poison control to review with your baby-sitter before you leave:

Fire fighters know this unpleasant truth better than anyone else
possibly could: every day Americans experience the tragedy
of fire. The statistics are grim. Each year more than 5,000
Americans die in fires and more than 25,000 are injured.
Additional figures show that each year about 450 people
are killed and $300 million in property is destroyed in fires
attributed to children playing with fire.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages parents to teach children at an early age about the dangers of playing with fire, in an effort to prevent child injuries, fire deaths and fire-setting behavior in the future. Here are some sobering facts about children and fires.

Practice Fire Safety in Your Home

The following is a list of important fire safety guidelines, courtesy of MAFF, for fire fighters to provide to schools and homes in their municipalities.

Finally, please emphasize that:

Carl Parsell Scholarship - June 2007

This year marks the 17th Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing and a total of $66,000.00 in scholarships awarded.

The Purpose of the
Carl Parsell Scholarship
The mission of The Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund is to assist members and their families who are motivated to improve our society by enhancing their future careers through a college education.

Reflecting on Carl...
Those who knew Carl would rightfully remember him as a preeminent pioneer of the law enforcement union movement. He spent an unparalleled career thinking about the welfare of the employees he represented, always taking effective actions to constantly improve their economic status, working conditions, and future. Known for his many accomplishments, Carl was and still is greatly respected as one of the greatest union leaders in history. Carl's family and friends still embrace his strength and continue to put his beliefs to work.

The Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund, established in 1991, honors Carl's memory in the most appropriate way possible; by continuing his legacy of improving the lives and futures of others, through education.

About the 2007 Scholarship Selections Committee
The Parsell Scholarship Selection Committee is an independent and impartial volunteer body that considers all nominees who meet the program's eligibility requirements. The Scholarship Selection Committee identifies extraordinary individuals and helps them pursue the learning Carl Parsell valued so highly.

2007 Carl Parsell Scholarship Selection Committee
Patrick Baidel - President of MAP
Chief John Childs - Sterling Hgts. Fire Chief
Mr. David Tanzman - Arbitrator
Mr. Jim Craft - White Lake Township FD
Mr. David Parsell - son of Carl Parsell
Mrs. Joyce Parsell - Honorary Committee Member

2007 Carl Parsell Scholarship Winners

Hannah Bawkon

Hannah, whose father (Randall Bawkon) is a Volunteer Fire Fighter with the Utica Fire Department, graduated from Utica High School in 2005, and will return to Michigan State University as a junior in the fall.

As a high school student Hannah maintained a 3.9 GPA while taking advanced placement courses, participating in many sports activities and clubs, worked part time, and graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Hannah has been active in the school choir, school plays, sang the National Anthem at the high school basketball games, was on the JV Dance Team, and was the lead female performer in the school musical "Into the Woods." She choreographed a 1st place routine for the 9th grade cheer team, took piano lessons, was on the soccer team, was a cheerleader, and has been presented numerous awards for outstanding academics. Hannah was on the honor roll every semester, received an Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, received the President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, received the Young Authors Award, Presidential Athletic Award, and an Athletic Award for cheerleading and soccer. Additionally, Hannah placed 2nd and 3rd in Michigan Music Association Competitions.

Her community activities include several projects for neighborhood nursing/dementia residents, fundraisers for the Key Club and the National Honors Society, and working in a nursing home.

Hannah currently has a 4.0 GPA at Michigan State and has been awarded certificates from the College of Criminal Law, College of Geography, and Michigan State University for academic achievement.

Majoring in Kinesiology, Hannah says the 'Carl Parsell Scholarship will help her to help others.'

Anne Bronkema

Anne whose father (Michael Bronkema) is a part time Olive Township Fire Fighter lives in Holland and graduated with a 3.92 grade point average.

Her community involvement includes volunteering in her church nursery, working with her church youth pastor, participating in church music programs, and co-teaching a group of junior high school girls on a weekly basis.

She played softball with the West Michigan Home School P.A.T.H. Softball League for three years, and currently works as an assistant counselor at the Geneva Camp and Retreat Center in Holland.

Anne plans to attend Kuyper College in the fall.

Andrea Sexsmith

Andrea, whose father (Leon Sexsmith) is employed by the Flat Rock Police Department, graduated from Woodhaven High School with a 3.4 grade point average.

Andrea has received numerous awards and honors for her academics, sports, and in marching band. Woodhaven High School staff identified Andrea as a "leader" with 'great individual talent' who is 'respected by her teammates.' She has been described as an "excellent person" who 'will assist with whatever task is at hand'; including fund raising, encouraging other team players, or sponsoring team events. Andrea's Varsity Softball Coach noted Andrea has served as Team Captain for three years 'demonstrating a strong desire to win while consoling team members when they are having a rough day.'

Andrea's application to the Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund included many letters of recommendation describing her as an 'exceptional leader, sincere, energetic, dependable, loyal, trustworthy, hard working, honest, and goal oriented.' Community involvement includes volunteering at her church and with the Taylor Shrine Club, in addition to working as a 5th grade camp counselor.

This fall Andrea will attend Indiana Tech University where she will major in Business Administration, Sports Management.

Adam Williams

Jackson, MI - Lumen Christi High School Class of 2007 graduate Adam Williams, is the only young man of four students who are named as Scholars in the 2007 Carl Parsell Memorial Fund Scholarship Program.

Adam, whose father (Brian Williams) is employed by the City of Jackson, graduated from Lumen Christie High School with a 3.5 grade point average.

While many students may chose an 'easier' route to raise their GPA by taking less difficult classes, Adam challenged himself by taking Honors and Advanced Placement courses to prepare for college. Adam made the honor roll every semester. Those who know Adam describe him as a "self-driven individual" who will "succeed in whatever he set out to do."

Adam participated in numerous school activities, including four years on the Golf Team, three years on the Tennis Team, and two years on the Bowling Team. He has been a member of the Drama Club, a member of the Under the Oaks Club, and a member of the LAN Computer Club. Additionally, he was selected to represent his school and participated in the Model U.N. Conference.

Congratulations to our 2007 Scholarship Recipients!

A great big thank you to our Scholarship Selections Committee...

On behalf of the 2007 scholarship recipients, MAFF would like to extend a sincere thank you to Patrick Baidel, Chief John Childs, Jim Craft, Joyce Parsell, David Parsell, and David Tanzman for their devotion to the Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund. This program would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of these individuals.

"Congratulations"
Past & Future
Scholarship Recipients