Mother-Daughter Duo Become Firefighters Together In Montgomery County

LAFAYETTE HILL, PA — Some mothers and daughters like to go shopping or walking together as part of their bonding experience.

Others become firefighters together.

That's the route that Montgomery County mother Betsy Gekonge took with her 17-year-old daughter Mokeira. The pair recently graduated from the Montgomery County Fire Academy together and received their Firefighter I certificate.

They became the first mother-daughter duo to serve as firefighters in the Barren Hill Fire Company in Lafayette Hill.

“Taking classes with my mom was fun because we could study together but also joke around. We share a lot of funny stories at family events,” Mokeira told the Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association. “Montgomery County is a great place for new volunteers because you learn a lot from knowledgeable, professional firefighters in a positive environment.”

Mokeira, who goes by Mo, is one of the first individuals to gain her Firefighter I certificate at age 17 since Pennsylvania's law changed, making 17 the youngest legal age to become certified instead of 18.

The pair will work for Barren Hill Fire Company in Lafayette Hill. They said part of their motivation to join was to find a new way to connect to their community.

“It’s really fulfilling to volunteer and learn about fire safety that helps us and others in our daily life," Betsy added. "I’ve built a lot of relationships in our community through volunteering."

Barren Hill is actively recruiting volunteers. To learn more about how to become a volunteer, see here.