Jacksonville, FL – What began with a chance encounter in 2013 has grown into a lasting international bond between the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) and firefighters in Germany.
The connection started when a German firefighter visiting Jacksonville met JFRD Public Information Officer Tom Francis. That meeting sparked a series of exchanges and friendships that have continued for more than a decade. In 2023, another German firefighter’s ride-along with JFRD was featured in a German newspaper—an article that caught the attention of Jean-Michael Kulawik, Senior Fire Officer (Oberbrandmeister).
Now, Kulawik is in Jacksonville to carry the tradition forward. Immersed in the daily routine of JFRD stations, he has found that while accents, uniforms, and tactics may differ, the heart of the fire service is the same. Shared meals, station camaraderie, and time on calls have broken down cultural barriers and built bonds that transcend borders.
Outside of shifts, JFRD members introduced their guest to the best of Northeast Florida—from cheering on the Jaguars to visiting historic St. Augustine and attending the annual Guns N’ Hoses charity boxing event.
Professionally, Kulawik noted that firefighting operations in Germany and the United States are strikingly similar, though there are key differences in medical response. In Germany, medical calls are staffed and managed differently than in the U.S., reflecting distinct national approaches to emergency medicine.
Looking ahead, Kulawik hopes to welcome JFRD firefighters to Germany, further strengthening the exchange and expanding the network of friendship and professional collaboration between the two departments.
This growing partnership highlights a truth shared by first responders worldwide: no matter the country, the mission remains the same—protect lives, serve communities, and stand together as family.
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