The Partnership Education Program (PEP) training event for the 16th District, representing federal fire fighters in the United States and Canada, is May 16-17, 2022, at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland.

COVID-19
Please see our COVID-19 Guidance for more information on attending this in-person event. Our members’ health and safety is our number-one priority. We continue to monitor COVID-19 risks and are in constant communication with the 16th District leadership team to prepare for an in-person event.

The IAFF mobile app has everything you need to guide you through this training event, including the agenda, workshop times and rooms and online evaluations. Download the IAFF mobile app.


COVID-19 Event Guidance


Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance on Facemask Usage:

  • Class organizers can ask if attendees are vaccinated but cannot ask for proof or vaccine cards.
    • If attendees or instructors are vaccinated:
      • You do not have to wear a facemask for the event. As we navigate this new normal, vaccinated individuals may continue to wear a facemask if more comfortable wearing one around others.
    • If attendees or instructors are NOT vaccinated:
      • These individuals, based on CDC guidance, must continue to wear a facemask and social distance for the duration of the event.
      • Signage in event areas will reflect what unvaccinated attendees should do, including facemask usage, social distancing, handwashing/sanitizing and daily monitoring for COVID-19 signs and symptoms. 

U.S. Domestic Travel Guidance:

  • Fully Vaccinated:
    • During travel: Follow all travel recommendations, including wearing a facemask while traveling and self-monitoring for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Post travel: You do not need to be tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months.
  • Not Fully Vaccinated:
    • During travel: Wear a facemask, social distance and practice preventive measures.
    • Post travel: Get tested with a RT-PCR test three to five days after travel and stay home/self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel.
      • If you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full seven days. If you do not get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.

International Travel Guidance:

  • Fully Vaccinated:
    • During travel: Follow all travel recommendations, including wearing a facemask while traveling and self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Post travel: Get tested with a RT-PCR test three to five days after travel. If your test is positive, isolate to protect others from getting infected. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
      • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.
    • Not Fully Vaccinated:
      • During travel: Follow all travel recommendations, including wearing a facemask while traveling and self-monitoring for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
      • Post travel: Get tested with a RT-PCR test three to five days after travel and stay home/self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel.
        • If you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full seven days. If you do not get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
      • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

 Attendees and Instructors:

  • Whether an individual is vaccinated or not vaccinated, it is important to highlight that if anyone is experiencing any COVID-19 related signs and symptoms, DO NOT ATTEND THE EVENT.
  • Signs and symptoms include:
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat

In registering for this event, you will be asked to provide information about whether you are vaccinated against COVID-19. The IAFF will maintain this information confidentially and will only disclose this information as required by law. By registering for this event, you agree that we may disclose your COVID-19 vaccination status as needed to comply with applicable law, including local COVID-19 orders.

Registration is open to all 16th District members in the United States and Canada.

The registration fee is $135. Each workshop track is capped at 50 participants, so register early.

Registration:

When you register, please choose one of the workshop tracks, each with a total of eight hours of instruction offered over two days. For more information, contact the IAFF Department of Education at [email protected] or (202) 824-1533.

Monday, May 16
7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Registration | Pre-Function
8:30–11:30 a.m.District Caucus | South Whitehall
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Lunch
12:30–2:30 p.m.PEP Breakouts
2:30–2:45 p.m.Break
2:45–4:45 p.m.PEP Breakouts
5:00–6:30 p.m.Reception | Pre-Function

 

Tuesday, May 17
7:00–8:00 a.m.Breakfast (Continental) | Pre-Function
8:30–10:30 a.m.PEP Breakouts
10:30 –10:45 a.m.Break
10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.PEP Breakouts

Review the Workshop Descriptions.

The following PEP workshop tracks will be delivered for the 16th District PEP training over two days (May 16-17, 2022):

  • Union Administration Track | North Whitehall
  • Legal Issues Track | Ravenhurst (May 16) and South Whitehall (May 17)

All PEP workshops are designed to be interactive and engage students. Workshops are delivered by IAFF PEP instructors who have a vast amount of knowledge and experience on union skills.

When you register for this event, please choose one of the workshop tracks listed, each with a total of eight hours of instruction offered over two days. Register.

UNION ADMINISTRATION TRACK


Monday, May 16

12:30–2:30 p.m.
Local Union Administration

2:30–2:45 p.m.
Break

2:45–4:45 p.m.

Staffing for Safety: An Introduction

Tuesday, May 17

8:30–10:30 a.m.
Frontline Union Representative Basics

10:30–10:45 a.m.
Break

10:45 a.m.–12:45 a.m.
Introduction to Grievances

LEGAL ISSUES TRACK


Monday, May 16

12:30–2:30 p.m.
Local Union Governance

2:30–2:45 p.m.
Break

2:45–4:45 p.m.
Duty of Fair Representation

Tuesday, May 17

8:30–10:30 a.m.
Discipline: Your Rights and Responsibilities as Union Officers

10:30–10:45 a.m.
Break

10:45 a.m.–12:45 a.m.

Social Media Legal Issues and Best Practices

UNION ADMINISTRATION TRACK

Local Union Administration (2 hours)
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 within the local. It will also acquaint participants with the various services and assistance available from the IAFF.

Staffing for Safety: An Introduction (2 hours)
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.

Frontline Union Representative Basics (2 hours)
This workshop addresses the knowledge and skills involved in effectively enforcing contract provisions and representing workers’ rights within 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.

Introduction to Grievances (2 hours)
The manner in which you process grievances will determine how quickly they are resolved and how your members perceive you. A good understanding of the grievance process will better enable you to enforce the collective bargaining agreement and avoid costly arbitration hearings. In this workshop, you will learn how to evaluate and file a grievance, reduce your chances of receiving a DFR claim and develop effective grievance strategies. This workshop is ideal for local union officers and grievance committee members who have limited experience with grievances.

LEGAL ISSUES TRACK

Local Union Governance (2 hours)
Through its constitution and by-laws, your local establishes its basic organization, including the duties and responsibilities of your local union officers, executive board and committees, as well as the various procedures that govern different types of meetings. Your local’s constitution and by-laws should provide the precepts necessary for governing your members. It should meet their needs, as well as be flexible for reasonable and future change. In this module, you will learn the important aspects of your local’s constitution and by-laws and be given tools to understand how this document influences your role as a union leader and how to properly govern your local based on this important text.

Duty of Fair Representation (2 hours)
As an affiliate leader, you may be subject to a legal standard, known as duty of fair representation (DFR), that governs how you represent your members in contract negotiations, grievances and other labor matters. In this workshop, you will study relevant case law to learn what is required of you, how the courts have applied this standard to unions, the consequences of violating the standard and best practices to avoid DFR lawsuits.

Discipline: Your Rights and Responsibilities as Union Officers (2 hours)
This workshop will provide union leaders with an overview of their rights and responsibilities during the employment disciplinary process. Union leaders will learn how to best represent their members in accordance with their contract, civil service laws and the Weingarten, Loudermill and Garrity decisions. This workshop is applicable to affiliate leaders in both collective bargaining and non-collective bargaining environments.

Social Media Legal Issues and Best Practices (2 hours)
While social media can be a powerful tool for positioning your local within the community and generating goodwill, it only takes one mistake or one bad apple to hurt your brand. Explore the social and legal issues pertaining to proper and improper use of social media, as well as the legal ramifications, limitations, and policies that can affect your members and your department.

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore, Baltimore MD

550 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 234-0550
Visit the Hotel Website

Book your hotel room for the 16th District PEP Event

Discounted group rate for the standard guest room is $151/night, plus tax. The cut-off date for the group rate is Monday, April 25, 2022.