Iberia Firefighting Twins Predict a Growing Firehouse Sisterhood

Iberia, MO…Iberia Rural Fire Protection District firefighters Stella and Kaye Humphrey have a message for local women and girls: Your neighbors need you to join the fire department, you can absolutely handle the challenge, and other firefighters will support you.

“Just do it,” said Kaye.

It won’t always be easy, agree the sisters, who both became full firefighters when they turned 18 last year. It takes a lot of training to learn the skills necessary to safely protect property and
lives. The Iberia firehouse is a welcoming place where volunteers support each other and share their knowledge. But because firefighters depend on each other on scene, new volunteers must
demonstrate skill and dependability.

Now in their fifth month as firefighters, Stella and Kaye continue to learn and demonstrate their skill and resourcefulness.

Kaye and Stella became full firefighters when they turned 18, achieving goals set when they were just little girls watching their dad, Jim Humphrey, drop whatever he was doing on the family cattle farm to rush to a fire or accident scene.

Their uncle, Will Humphrey, is also an Iberia firefighter. “It’s been remarkable to see them help the community,” said Stella. “I think volunteering is something special to me because I like to help people, too.”

Even before turning 18 – the minimum age for firefighters – Stella and Kaye were active members of Iberia’s Cadet program, which allows teens to begin training and assist full firefighters in some
situations. For example, they both responded to accident scenes and directed traffic to protect those involved in the accidents, the first responders assisting them, and motorists.

It’s the cadet program that makes them hopeful that their firehouse family will soon include more sisters. “There are a lot more girls in the cadet program than guys, and I’m hoping that when they become 18, they will become full firefighters,” said Stella. “We would love to mentor them,” added Kaye.

The twins fit time for firefighting into very busy lives. Both are seniors at Iberia High School. Kaye is president of Future Farmers of America and Stella is vice president. At 4H, they switched roles:
Stella is president and Kaye is vice president. Stella, who plans to study at State Fair Community College before majoring in agriculture education at Lincoln University, works at a local supermarket. Kaye, who plans to study agribusiness at State Technological College of Missouri, works at a pet food store.

With all of that, plus responsibilities on their family farm, not to mention friendships, why is firefighting so important? “In our community, we always have to depend on each other,” said Kaye. “Helping others brings happiness to my heart. And if I needed help, I’d want somebody there for me.”

Iberia Rural Fire Protection District needs both volunteer firefighters and non-emergency volunteers in administration and firehouse/vehicle maintenance. Teens ages 13 to 17 can join as cadets. Visit iberiafire.org to learn more or
sign up!