Carlisle Firefighter Continues to Challenge Self through Volunteering

CapitalRegionFirefighter is profiling the women of our fire companies this March, in honor of Women’s History Month.

Maurita “Mo” Abeln’s volunteer firefighting story isn’t like most other volunteers. After completing her undergraduate degree and finishing her collegiate sports career at Bucknell University, she began looking for a new team and a new adventure.

Abeln’s family was surprised when she told them the next team that she intended to join was a firefighting crew. Unlike many firefighters, firefighting was new to her and her family.

“Most of my family thought I was crazy,” she said.

Abeln always had a desire to become a firefighter. Like many Americans across the country, she was inspired by the actions of those who ran toward the danger on September 11, 2001.

“I thought there was nothing braver nor more patriotic than watching the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and so many of the nation’s firefighters and other emergency responders make their way to Ground Zero and help rescue, recover and clean up,” she said.

In 2010, Abeln moved to Carlisle and began working with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission in Harrisburg. She became a live-in firefighter at Union Fire Company No. 1 and was heavily involved in day-to-day and administrative activities, and was eventually elected vice president of the company.

She also served as recruitment and retention coordinator for Carlisle Fire Department — which is comprised of Union Fire Company No. 1 and Carlisle Fire and Rescue Services. In that role, one of her main focuses was on enhancing diversity and inclusion efforts. She credits Union President Amy Myers, former Borough Fire Chief Tom Murray and others for mentoring her along the way.

“We wanted to build a department that was safe and inviting to everyone, including minorities and women, like me,” she said. “We need volunteers regardless of their walks of life, race, gender or sexual preference.”

While she enjoyed volunteering for a few years and being part of a team, she decided to step away and take a break to focus on other life endeavors. She bought a fixer-upper home, worked on obtaining her master’s degree, and enjoyed agility training with her dog, Luna. She also met her eventual husband, Brooks, and his two young children.

On March 9, 2020, Abeln received a calling to return back to firefighting. Tragically, Firefighter Jerome Guise died in the line of duty fighting a fire at the home of Mike and Jessica Diehl, two very good friends of Abeln and her husband. Mike was severely burned, but rescued. His wife, Jessica, and their dog, Lily, did not survive.

Abeln was devastated. She had met the Diehls a few years prior through Brooks, and was quickly accepted into their circle of friends.

“Jess was someone I instantly admired — she also had two stepchildren. Being a stepmom can be next to impossible sometimes, but Jess seemed to do it with such ease and grace. I remember telling my husband before Jess died that I wanted to be like her,” she said.

That night, she cried with friends and tried to process the tragedy of losing a fellow firefighter and a woman she admired and had become great friends with.

“I cannot explain to you what that kind of call does to you on the inside,” she explained. “I was in utter disbelief because I had also known Jerome. We’d been on calls together in the past, and I hung out with him at a couple of fundraisers. He was a good guy and a very dedicated volunteer.”

She woke up the next morning and decided to take action. She emailed a very good friend, President of Carlisle Fire and Rescue Services Mike Snyder, and told him that she wanted to become an active firefighter again. She had still been in touch with Snyder during her hiatus, and knew that it was time to return to firefighting.

At the end of 2021, when Snyder stepped down to take a break to focus on other aspects of life — just like Abeln did prior — it was Abeln who was nominated and elected President of Carlisle Fire & Rescue Services.

“I'm grateful to share these experiences with many incredible people, and it has been highly rewarding to challenge myself to rise to my fire department's various needs over the last 14 years,” she said.

Volunteer firefighting takes a lot of commitment when it comes to balancing work, family and other hobbies or interests. It also entails sacrifice and a special type of person to run into the danger, but it’s also highly rewarding. For Abeln, the friends she’s made — many whom she considers family — are worth everything that she has put into it. This is especially so in the events of tragedy or time of need.

As for her two friends that she lost, she thinks of them every day and will continue to honor them forever.

“I carry Jerome Guise, Jessica Diehl and her dog, Lily, in my heart everywhere I go, and I imagine they'd be happy to know I volunteer in honor of their memory,” she said.

Carlisle Fire & Rescue Services and Union Fire Company No. 1 are two of 21 fire companies included in the Capital Region Firefighter volunteer recruitment campaign. If you want to serve your community and make a difference, there’s likely a nearby fire company and a position for you based on your interest, skills and availability. All training and gear are provided at no cost. To learn more about how you can volunteer with your local fire company, visit www.CapitalRegionFirefighter.org.