News7 in Your Neighborhood

Actions

Farmington Hills firefighter keeps family history alive

Posted at 6:59 AM, Oct 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-18 19:01:41-04

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Kayla Geffert is a firefighter that is a second generation public service family member serving the Farmington Hills community.

"My dad's a police officer, my uncle is a firefighter, so it was always just kind of ingrained in our family," Geffert said.

She was considering a career as a nurse, but said she just wasn't excited about nursing school.

As a recent college graduate living at home with her parents, her father, a Farmington Hills police officer, brought a job recruitment flyer home. The city was looking for firefighters.

A Hillsdale College basketball player, Geffert was looking for the adrenaline rush she had when she was on the team.

"The physical challenge, the mental challenge, firefighting checked those boxes for me," Geffert said.

Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh knew she was a standout after their first interview.

"But, I also predicted at that point she would be a career firefighter for us," Unruh said.

Her firefighter training began in 2016. Geffert was promoted to a career firefighter and paramedic last April. Though there are challenges and tough days, she is proud to live and serve in Farmington Hills.

"The most important, rewarding part of my job is just working with the community and just trying to make their day just a little bit better."