From the Desk of our Committee President, Melissa Hopson:
Dear Friends and Members of Indy-Cologne,
Excited to announce that tonight at 7:30 pm at the Athenaeum, IFD Firefighter Mike Mullennax presents “Two Cities, One Community: the Indy-Cologne Firefighter Exchange.” Mike will talk about his experience in the Indy-Cologne Sister City Firefighter Exchange Program that started in 2009. For tonight’s presentation, Mike will discuss his personal exchange experience in Cologne including: the IFD application process, exchange detailing, and the cultural differences between Indianapolis and Cologne fire rescue. Mike’s stories tonight are a testimony to the importance of cultural exchange. Please join this conversation invited by the Indiana German Heritage Society Stammtisch Program by attending in person or online via Zoom, Register in advance for this presentation if you can not be with us in person.
Every year since 2010, a firefighter has traveled to one of our Sister Cities to participate in a three week exchange. The firefighters live with host families and work alongside our Sister City firefighters at their stations treated as employees. We are so grateful to IFD Battalion Chief Howard Stahl at Station #3, Cologne Chief Christian Miller, and Lieutenant Uwe Siemons for hosting our rescuers and creating a fair and rigorous application process that has long-term cultural, education and economical impact on our communities. Your contributions help us sponsor this exchange and others. Now that COVID travel restrictions have lifted, we are proud to continue this program again this year in June with IFD Firefighter Jason Thompson who will be traveling to Cologne in June.
Please become a member, a partner, or make a one time donation to the Indianapolis-Cologne Sister Cities Committee here to keep these programs going. Find out more about our membership program on our website or inquire with Sister City President Melissa Hopson. We are a volunteer-based non-profit that welcomes all who want to help and get involved.
Presenter Bio:
Firefighter Mike Mullenax was born in Lebanon, Indiana. He has worked as a firefighter for 35 years. Mike worked for Pike Township and now for IFD Station #18. Mike was the first firefighter to participate in the Sister City Firefighter Exchange in 2010 for three weeks. Mike earned a certification in International Relations concentrated on Western Europe from IUPUI. He authored a book entitled “The Blanket.” He is also a father, ballroom dancer, and travel enthusiast. Mike is also the new Indy-Cologne Sister City Committee Firefighter Exchange Chair; he is helping us support our programs and spread the word about the exchange.
Looking forward to seeing you there!