Texas Border Business
Leadership with the City of McAllen welcomed fourteen firefighters from Sister City airports to join the second edition of McAllen’s “International Firefighter Exchange Program.”
The collaboration between the City of McAllen, Sister Cities of Monterrey, Reynosa, and Victoria, as well as the Friendship City of Tampico, and Grupo OMA (Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte) provides a unique opportunity for international partners to gain new techniques, strategies, and valuable learning experiences in firefighting.
“Programs like this promote skill development and enable participants to engage in cross-cultural learning to create networking opportunities that transcend borders. We take pride in the relationship we have built with Sister Cities, as well as, with other long-standing partners like Grupo OMA, who have collaborated with our airport for years,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos.
McAllen is committed to fostering the exchange of best practices among fire personnel across the border, aiming to cultivate a more prepared and secure binational region. This initiative includes a comprehensive two-day training event designed to enhance collaboration with Sister Cities. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, workshops, and discussions, focusing on strategies that improve emergency response and community safety. By sharing knowledge and resources, this initiative seeks to strengthen the bonds between neighboring communities and ensure a unified approach to fire safety and preparedness.
“As a City Manager, my top priority is to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors. I am confident that this is also a priority for the fire personnel participating in this exercise. The training provided by our Fire Department improves their ability to effectively respond to emergencies in their communities and prepares them to manage potential regional events across the border,” stated City Manager Isaac J. Tawil.
