Leadership Grows at Poplar Bluff Fire Department

“I’m so proud of all these men, they are the future of this department,” Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt said Friday evening during a pinning ceremony for the six firefighters being named lieutenants.

Honored were Andrew Fox, Justin Maddock, Jon Miller, Josh Robison, Travis Taylor and Adam Yeley.

Moffitt praised the men to their families and friends during the ceremony at the Black River Coliseum.

“They’ve worked hard,” the chief said. “They’re deserving of this position because when all of us old guys retire, they’re going to be the most moving up in our spots. We’re leaving it in pretty good hands.”

Moffitt explained the department currently has 10 officers.

“We have six captains, three battalion chiefs and one chief,” he said. “Within the next five years, six of these officers will reach retirement age. Creating this position will better prepare our lieutenants to step into the role as captain. These lieutenants will work directly under our captains. As our captains retire or get promoted, we will promote a lieutenant to that captain’s position. We will have six lieutenants, two on each shift.”

Officials have been discussing this position for years, Moffitt said, and “I am excited to finally get it established. I met with all my officers, and we came up with a plan to establish this position, without an increase in our payroll budget. With the support of City Manager Matt Winters, and the city council, we were able to put our plan into place. These men will be the future leaders of the Poplar Bluff Fire Department.”

Moffitt called each man forward, presenting him with his new badges and bars. The families of each lieutenant pinned on the new insignias.

Fox joined the fire department in Oct, 12, 2008, after he transferred from the street department, where he was originally hired Sept. 7, 2004. He will be a lieutenant at Station 2 on A shift. Fox got his Missouri State Fire 1 and 2 training through the Poplar Bluff Fire Department’s in-house training.

Maddock joined the fire department April 27, 2009. He received his Missouri certifications at Mineral Area Fire Training. He’s worked on A and B shift and he will be a lieutenant on B shift at Station 2.

Miller started Feb. 29, 2012, with the fire department. He received his Missouri certifications at Mineral Area Fire Training. He will be a lieutenant at Station 3 on A shift.

Robison started with the fire department April 13, 2008. He received his an associate’s degree through Black River Technical College. Robison will be a lieutenant on C shift at Station 3.

Taylor joined the fire department Aug. 10, 2000. He received his Missouri State Fie certifications at Black River Technical College and through the in-house training with the Poplar Bluff Fire Department. He has worked his entire career on B shift. He will be lieutenant on B shift at Station 3.

Yeley started with the PBFD on Sept. 9, 2015. He received his associate’s degree through Three Rivers College Fire Training Center. He will be a lieutenant on B shift at Station 3.