One York County fire department has generations of moms and families to celebrate on Mother’s Day, not to mention the traditions they’ve passed down.
Three generations of Micki Rife’s family have worked in the West Manchester Township Fire Department, going back decades. She said firefighting is in their blood.
“It is kind of like a family business,” she said. Many firefighters say the firehouse is an extended family, but for Micki, it really is.
“My uncle originally was the first one that joined the fire department,” she said. Micki’s dad followed, eventually serving as chief. Her mom and aunt joined the social committee, helping run fundraisers and other community events.
“I made a lot of lifelong friends,” Micki’s aunt Barbara Irwin said.
At 14, Micki took her place as a junior firefighter.
“I do remember my first fire when I turned 16, it was a barn fire,” she said.