In 2013, a visiting German firefighter met JFRD Public Information Officer Tom Francis while on holiday in Jacksonville. That meeting set off a cascade of exchanges and friendships that continue today. A decade later, in 2023, another German firefighter came for a ride-along. This visit was covered in a German newspaper, and it was through that article that Jean-Michael Kulawik, Senior Fire Officer (Oberbrandmeister), first learned about Jacksonville’s connection with Germany.
Jean-Michael participating in training
Now, Kulawik is in Jacksonville carrying that tradition forward. He has been welcomed into the daily rhythm of JFRD’s stations, where he is finding that while accents, uniforms, and tactics may vary, the heart of the fire service is the same. Shared meals, station life, and time on calls are breaking down cultural barriers and building a bond that transcends borders.
Between shifts, JFRD personnel made sure their guest has experienced the best of Northeast Florida. From cheering at a Jaguars game to exploring historic St. Augustine and attending the annual Guns N’ Hoses charity boxing event, the tour was as exhausting as it was unforgettable.
Professionally, Kulawik notes that operations are strikingly similar between the two countries. The fundamentals of firefighting remain consistent, though there are some differences in strategy. The greatest distinction lies in medical response. In Germany, medical calls have different staffing and care requirements than they do in the United States.
Looking ahead, Kulawik says he would like to host JFRD firefighters in Germany, strengthening the exchange and widening the network of brotherhood between the two departments.
This partnership affirms what first responders everywhere already know: no matter the country, the calling is the same. Protect lives, serve the community, and stand together as family.
Jean-Michael cheering on the Jaguars