Jeff Bayless - Firefighter - Alaska

Senior Captain Jeff Bayless, age 51, died in the line of duty on March 7, 2014, at a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.  

Jeff Bayless

Jeff was a member of the Anchorage Fire Department.  He had 19 years of service. He worked out of the Eagle River Station. 

Jeff was participating in a training exercise entitled "Rules of Air Management Training".  This involved wearing an air mask and tank to measure oxygen intake while walking through a parking lot, up six flights of stairs and back down again for 10 minutes. 

The exercise is described as a very strenuous physical activity. 

Jeff completed the training exercise but collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital where sadly he passed away. 

Jeff was a nurse before he joined the Anchorage Fire Department as a paramedic.  He later became a firefighter in 1995.  

Family members describe Jeff as healthy and fit and very active.  He loved photography, canoeing, water, the outdoors and his job as a firefighter.  He sincerely cared about his comrades.  He cared about doing a professional job in fighting fires and coming to the aid of others.   

Florian, Patron Saint of
Firefighters, pray for Jeff

The Anchorage Fire Department is in mourning over the death of their brother.  Fire Department officials describe Jeff as a quiet, polite man with a big heart. He will be greatly missed. 

Last year he was honored with the Red Cross of Alaska’s Wilderness Rescue Heroes Award, along with other members of Station 11, for a water rescue on the Eagle River.

Jeff is survived by many loving comrades, friends and relatives including his parents, Patsey and William Bayless; three sisters and one brother; and his wife, Gail. 

Thank you for your service to the public, Jeff. 

Pray for all who die while in the performance of their duties.

Pray that Jeff is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.