Kid with Fire Smarts: Daughter of Firehouse Family Knew How to React

Things didn’t go as planned the day Bent Koch’s 12-year-old daughter decided to make tortilla chips. The oil in the frying pan flashed and caught  fire, causing damage to the range hood and the nearby cabinetry.

But no one was hurt because Koch’s daughter knew exactly what to do.

She quickly smothered the fire and extinguished the flames thanks to lessons learned from her firefighter dad and mom Patricia—a fire prevention specialist.

“Our kids are pretty aware of stuff like that,” said Koch, who’s worked at the La Mesa Fire Department since 1998. “I think more than anything she was just scared. It frightened her immensely.”

It’s these types of lessons and more that families will learn at the Fire Department’s open house Saturday, Oct. 8, in honor of Fire Prevention Week. Live sprinkler, fire extinguisher and auto extrication demos will highlight the event along with other activities.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 11 at 8034 Allison Ave. For more information, call 619-667-1301 or visit heartlandfire.org.