Jeff Bugh is a Firefighter/Paramedic working at Station 1 of the Anchorage Fire Department. He was recently married in July 2018 to an incredible woman.

I was inspired to join the fire service when I was 15. My uncle, who was my only father figure, had an accidental overdose of narcotic medication and almost died. The firefighters of station 12 responded and treated my uncle, saving his life. My uncle lived for nearly a year after this event, and during that time made it his responsibility to bring me up as a man. I am who I am because of my uncle, and I am forever grateful for AFD joining our lives on that day. I soon joined the Anchorage Fire Explorer Post 264 in 2011, and was a member for a little over two years before I joined the University Fire Department. I was a member at UFD for roughly 3 years, and left college with a Bachelors in Psychology, and an Associates in both paramedicine and fire science respectively. Since joining AFD in 2015, I have become an advisor at the Explorer post, a peer supporter, and work with youth fire-setting prevention.

I joined the fire service to help people. I am honored that I can count myself among those who have given me limitless opportunities and allowed me to get where I am today. My goal in life is to pay it forward; to provide another person every opportunity they need to become everything they were meant to be. I am grateful to be given the chance to be a Peer Supporter for my community and fire family.