Project HEAT'S ON (Handicapped and Elderly Assistance To Service Our Neighbors), co-sponsored by the Greater Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association, Inc., (PMC), and UA Local 190, Plumbers / Pipefitters / Service Technicians / Gas Distribution, was a resounding success.

In its twelfth year in Washtenaw County, HEAT'S ON continues to be a community service project that not only provides free safety inspections and minor repairs of heating systems, but also helps to insure the homeowner's safety with new smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

   
At a kick-off breakfast hosted by Local 190 and the PMC, volunteers were given jackets to identify them as Project HEAT'S ON participants. Then, service technicians were teamed with apprentices and other volunteers ready to spend their Saturday meeting the needs of the community.

The program cleaned and checked 55 furnaces along with installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Detectors. After the work of the day was done, everyone came back for lunch, giving the volunteers time for fellowship. Catching up with your friends is always important.

The contractors and UA 190 workers love hands onprojects where they get to know the individuals they are doing the work for. It builds a great relationship with the community.

Seven students from the Greater Michigan MSCA Ferris State University Student Chapter were in attendance at this years' event. The students spoke highly of the time that the technicians spent explaining and teaching them about the work.

PCA 2002 Conference

Left - Michael Brunett, with Right - Carl Evans, PHI Detroit

Plumbing Contractors of America held their 2002 Conference, in conjunction with the International Sanitation & Heating (ISH) North America Show & Conference, October 31-November 2, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Those in attendance chose from many note-worthy seminars along with visiting the ISH exhibit hall, home of the international trade fair for kitchen and bath, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning products.

Seminars were offered on a variety of subjects including Hydronics Design, Showroom Marketing, Customer Service, Flat Rate Pricing and Industry Professionalism. Michael Brunett, of the John E. Green Company attended the conference along with PMC President Sandra Miller.