PBFD promotes firefighters, welcomes new fireman

Poplar Bluff city firefighters are scaling the ladder of success one rung at a time. Recently advancing in rank through promotions are Kevin Edgar, Jon Miller and Joshua Buhler.

Mykel Limanen, a former Butler County Fire Protection District employee, was hired to serve on the city fire department.

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt said, “We have a department full of great guys. I’m confident our members who have been promoted will do a great job and Firefighter Limanen will be a great addition to our department.”

Edgar was promoted to battalion chief, Miller moved to captain, and Buhler to lieutenant.

Edgar was hired as a firefighter with Poplar Bluff Fire Department July 23, 2003.

He received training at Louis F. Garland Fire Academy in San Angelo, Texas. He was airport firefighter certified, as well as certified in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Hazamat Operations and Awareness.

For four years, Edgar served as a firefighter in the United States Marine Corp in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Over the years, he has received many other certifications for various training. He was promoted to captain on B Shift April 3, 2014. He served as captain until his promotion to Battalion Chief over C Shift Aug. 16.

He is married to Stacy and they have three children, Holden, Colton and Kenlee.

Miller, who recently was promoted to captain, received certifications as Firefighter I and Firefighter II at Mineral Area College, and received Hazamat Operations and Awareness along with EMT certification at Three Rivers College. He was hired as a firefighter with Poplar Bluff Fire Department March 3, 2012. Miller has received many certifications over the years for various training. He recently was promoted to captain.

He is married to Brittaney and they have three children, Braylen, Remi and Jack.

Buhler, who was named a lieutenant, was born and raised in Poplar Bluff. He is a 2007 graduate from Poplar Bluff High School.

He explained he found his passion for the fire service in 2010 by volunteering at the Butler County Fire Department while attending fire training classes at Three Rivers College. where he obtained his Associates of Fire Science Degree in December 2012.

After completing fire training at Three Rivers College, he began his fire service career at Sikeston DPS in June 2012. Buhler has been a fireman for the City of Poplar Bluff since December 2013.

He has since obtained multiple certifications and licensures including Fire Service Instructor I and Evaluator in April 2013, EMT-B in July 2015, NCPS Child Car Seat Technician March 2019, Fire Officer I July 2019, as well as numerous other trainings through the years.

Buhler said the most rewarding part of the job is getting to make a difference in the community and public education. “Whenever you are able to make a positive impact big or small in someone’s life, that is what makes this job the greatest job in the world,” he said.

Buhler is a member of the Palace of Praise church. He is married to Stacie. They have two children, Finley, 8, and Lilly, 5.

Buhler is assigned to A Shift at Fire Station #3.

Limanen who is the newest member of the city department, previously served as a firefighter with the Butler County Fire Protection District for four years.

He received certification for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Hazamat Awareness through TRC. He also holds a number of certifications for various training.

He was hired as a firefighter with the Poplar Bluff Fire Department July 18 where he serves on A Shift.

He is married to Anna and they have three children Brayden, Sadie and Emmarie.