Evan & Wes Stevens: Always Racing to be First One to Respond

Evan and Wes Stevens both live about the same distance from Tipton FD. So when calls come in, the brothers race to see who can respond to the station first.

“I think I am actually on the losing end here,” said Evan. “But either way, we usually end up in either the same truck, or within the first two trucks responding.”

Neither brother aspired to be a firefighter. But both knew a bit about the fire service.

Their grandfather worked on the fire crew at Speedway Park in New Mexico. And growing up, both knew Tipton Fire Chief Benjie Miligan.

• George Stevens (1st Generation) Speedway Park (NM) Fire Crew (1951 to 1979)

• Evan Stevens (2nd Gen.) Tipton FD (2018 to now)

• Wes Stevens (2nd Gen.) Tipton FD (2019 to now)

“Benjie was my buddy’s father,” Evan said. “He was always in the department, and being around them growing up, I was able to experience the excitement of him rushing to drop what he was doing to respond.

“I never intended to be a firefighter, but one day after moving home, we had a brief chat. I didn’t think I was in town enough to be considered for a position. After he expressed the need for people and how my extensive construction background could help, he convinced me otherwise.”

For Wes, it was a different story.

“My brother suckered me into it,” he said. “But I couldn’t imagine not being in the department and giving back to our community.”

Both said that their proudest achievement to date is being among Tipton FD’s first volunteer firefighters to receive certifications. They both completed Firefighter 1 training that was offered through the OSFA Safer Grant.

“The firefighter training took place at a local department where we knew a few of the crew members,” Wes said. “They didn’t take it easy on us at all, but we know that they challenged us out of love and a desire for us to come home every time.”

Marcus Koch currently serves as Lieutenant at the Oklahoma City Fire Department, and he is proud to be able to serve the citizens of Oklahoma City since 2006.

The Koch’s are no strangers to Oklahoma City firehouses. Marcus serves along side his brother currently, Michael Koch, both following in the footsteps of their father, grandfather and great grandfather, who all served at the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

“Oh and then there is ‘the other Koch’ ... my cousin,” Marcus said. “Yup, if this makes it to print, he’s gonna laugh and I’ll run as he’s doing so!”

While it was obviously a topic of discussion in the household, firefighting was never some- thing inspired; he felt it was more influenced. He said even though he is a 4th generation firefighter, the profession was never pushed on him. It was a decision he made based on his own calling, desire and love for the camaraderie he got to witness by growing up at the fire station.

When asked to share a story or two of any nature, Marcus shared the following:

“Family or friends who come and go on this crazy ride of a career have many stories that they can laugh about, cry about, or were part of some event that goes beyond measure unless you were there. As I sit here, smiling at thoughts of the jokes, games and conversations that have occurred so far, it allows me to realize that the best way to keep those memories in such a great light is to keep them with the individuals involved. On a side note: If you are outside OKC and you know my name then you have, and will continue to have, all the laughs you need from the OSFA conventions.”

The pride in the long history of service to Oklahoma City Marcus feels is immeasurable. And his proudest moment was pursuing this career, and making it happen.

“To all firefighters who do this job for the love of others, the drive to better others around you, and the determination to better yourself, I tip my hat.”

• Floyd Koch (1st Generation) OKC FD (1938 to 1961)

• Edward Koch Sr. (2nd Gen.) OKC FD (1951 to 1974)

• Edward Koch Jr. (3rd Gen.) OKC FD (1980 to 2011)

• Michael Koch (4th Gen.) OKC FD (2000 to now)

• Marcus Koch (4th Gen.) OKC FD (2006 to now)

• Douglas Harris Jr. (cousin) OKC FD (2007 to now)

• Elisha Koch (Michael’s wife) Woodcrest FD (1997 to 2001)

• John Mitchell (Elisha’s father) Woodcrest FD (1997 to 2016)

• Shawn Mitchell (Elisha’s brother) Woodcrest FD (1997 to now)