Iberia Volunteer Firefighters Enjoy Following in Fathers' Footsteps

IBERIA — Naturally, Greg Onstott’s children grew up spending many hours at the Iberia Rural Fire Protection District station because their dad had been fire chief there since 1995.

“It was something they enjoyed,” said Chief Onstott about his kids coming into the station. “What kid doesn’t like big red fire trucks with lights and sirens?”

Now adults, Ashley and Drew Onstott have followed in their father’s footsteps as volunteers. The chief said it has been extremely gratifying to see his children continuing his legacy of volunteering.

“It kind of makes you feel good that they have good values and want to help people,” Greg said. “It’s just part of the growing up process and teaching them to become productive young adults in today’s society. Volunteering teaches a lot of responsibility and caring.”

Ashley, 35, is an administrative volunteer with Iberia and official photographer for the fire department. Drew, 31, began volunteering at age 14. He spent seven years volunteering with his father with Iberia before moving away. He’s now a volunteer firefighter, along with his wife, Miranda, with North Callaway Fire Protection District and Auxvasse Fire Department.

Drew recalls running calls with his dad even before he was officially a member of the fire department.

“He taught me a lot, and I grew to enjoy and love what I do,” Drew said.

While Greg doesn’t remember exactly when his children told him they wanted to become volunteers, he said he could tell by their actions that it was something they enjoyed and cared about.

When asked about how their mother, Stella, feels about the family’s longtime involvement in volunteer firefighting, Ashley just chuckled.

“This has just always been a part of our life,” she said. “That’s just what we did. She did a lot of stuff behind the scenes, too.”

Drew credits his dad for his desire to become a volunteer firefighter.

“I’d say it was because of him,” Drew said. “It just was something that I've always wanted to do, help people, and if I could make my community a better place by doing that then that’s what I was going to do.”

Through watching his dad lead the fire department as chief, Drew learned to always help people, even though there is a risk.

“We go places where people are running from,” Drew said. “He taught me to be courageous.”

Just like her younger brother, Ashley points to her dad as being the reason she wanted to become an administrative volunteer.

“I am grateful to follow in his footsteps,” Ashley said. “It’s a privilege to be able to give back to your community.”

As fire chief, Greg is responsible for directing the activities of the fire department — including managing the team of volunteer firefighters.

“You have a lot of responsibilities, so you’ve got to stay on top of things,” Greg said.

Greg has also worked for the Missouri Department of Agriculture for the past 30 years.

Ashley says she has always looked up to her dad, admiring all the hard work and dedication he gives to the fire department and community.

“There’s a lot of hard work that he’s done that a lot of people don’t even get to see,” Ashley said. “It makes me really proud of him.”

Greg encourages people who are interested in helping their community to consider becoming a volunteer firefighter.

“Most of the time we see people at their worst, and they have a need for help,” Greg said. “It’s just gratifying knowing that you can help them, and that you’ve helped them out on what maybe could be one of their worst days.”

Learning the ropes from dad

The ability to keep your composure under pressure is a vital asset in the fire service.

It’s also sage advice that Rob Murray, Assistant Chief of Iberia Rural Fire Protection District, has passed along to his 23-year-old son Collin.

“You’ve got to stay calm in the moment, because a lot of the things we do are life saving measures,” said Collin, a volunteer firefighter with Iberia. “That’s probably the biggest thing he taught me going forward is to maintain focus.”

Rob has been volunteering for over 35 years and became assistant chief with Iberia in 1995. A retired school teacher, Rob has enjoyed watching his son become more involved at the fire station over the years.

“I’ve done this for a long time, and he’s kind of got the bug for it, too,” said Rob. “He enjoys coming out and volunteering, working to help other people.”

Collin grew up following his dad around the fire station. But with a busy schedule of school and sports during his teenage years, it wasn’t until after high school that he began to take volunteer firefighting more seriously. He credits his dad as his inspiration for joining Iberia as a volunteer firefighter.

“Overall, the group of individuals at the department are a pretty great group of people to hang around,” said Collin. “I look at it as a way to serve and give back to my community.”

Watching his dad over the years has helped Collin learn essential firefighting skills. Collin says all the firefighters at Iberia are eager to help younger volunteers.

“Everyone in the department is really helpful with answering questions and explaining things to us,” said Collin.

When they’re not volunteering together, the father-son duo enjoys farming together — which, along with firefighting, has brought them closer over the years.

“You always like to see your kids enjoy life and helping out,” Rob added.

Iberia Rural Fire Protection District is looking for the following volunteer positions: Firefighter, administrative volunteer, and firehouse maintenance.

For more information or to fill out an inquiry form, visit Iberiafire.org.