By Rachel Engel
FireRescue1
SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Fire Department welcomed German Firefighter Sandra Hoffman as the first member to participate in the city’s International Exchange Firefighter program, WTOC 11 reported.
The program aims to educate exchange members on fire strategies and tactics that can be shared with their respective home countries.
“We’re a world-class fire department, and we believe that we should be leading the nation in helping other departments develop their strategies and tactics,” SFD Chief Elzie Kitchen told WTOC. “So, by her being here, she’ll be able to see how efficient Savannah Fire operates and then take some of that information back to her hometown.”
Hoffman, who hails from Halle, Germany, agrees.
“I think it’s the beginning of a very good partnership between both fire departments,” Hoffman told the news station.
An SFD member is scheduled to travel to Germany sometime in 2024 to work with crews in Hoffman’s home department.