As we begin our annual 2008 fund drive we want to take this opportunity to thank our community members for the outpouring of support we have received since the 9/11 disaster. Firefighters and EMS personnel throughout the Unites States put their lives on the line everyday so that you may live safely and enjoy the freedoms that our brother and sister firefighters and EMS personnel in New York died trying to protect. As we increase our efforts in the specialty areas of homeland defense we have undertaken the continued challenge of protecting our homeland through increased training and working in partnerships with our county government and local law enforcement. We always do so  that we may continue our tradition of providing excellent fire and EMS service to the Harford County community.

Once again we ask for your financial support. Our operational costs continue to grow each year as we are called upon to provide more and more fire, rescue and emergency medical services. Without your continued support we could not keep up with these ever increasing demands for our professional and competent services. We assure you that every penny goes toward operations and equipment, since our members donate 100% of their time and talent. This is documented by a Certified Audit of Financial Statements which has been performed annually for over 20 years by a third party independent auditor. THIS ANNUAL FUND DRIVE IS SEPARATE FROM OUR AMBULANCE CLUB WHICH IS MAILED TO YOU IN DECEMBER.

Please help us to help you by making your donation. As a guide to assist you in determining the amount of your donation, we have enclosed a form showing a recommended donation which is based on the value of property that is protected by the fire company. Please keep in mind that this is much less than the cost of fully tax supported non-volunteer emergency services. IF YOU CANNOT GIVE THE RECOMMENDED DONATION, ANY AMOUNT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. Please make your tax deductible donation payable to the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company and enclose the identification form with it so that we may properly credit your donation. If you work for an organization with a “Matching Gifts Program”, you can further assist us by using the program.

WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY?

It’s neighbor helping neighbor during an emergency in the spirit that built America and made it great. It’s a proud tradition that is worth preserving in the greater Bel Air community. It’s 175 volunteers giving up time from business, home and family to continually train in order to render professional and caring emergency service – often at night, in bad weather, and at personal risk.

DID YOU KNOW ….

• This is a large company consisting of fire stations in Bel Air and Forest Hill, two ladder trucks, one heavy  rescue, five fire engines. three advanced  life support ambulances, two brush trucks, one air cascade unit, one command vehicle, and two medical support vehicles.

• We must replace one 15 year old fire apparatus approximately every two years and one 4 year old ambulance approximately every 16 months. 

• Each firefighter must successfully complete 117 hours of University of Maryland classes. Most spend an additional 150 hours of advanced training to obtain advanced qualifications.

• Our ambulances and crews are certified by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service Systems.

• We operate under strict rules and protocols established by the State of Maryland.  

• Our Emergency Medical Technicians must successfully complete 110 hours of University of Maryland classes. They must recertify every three years with 24 hours of continuing education. They also must attend numerous short courses and special seminars to keep their skills current.

• Our Cardiac Rescue Technicians and Paramedics are certified by the State Board of Medical Examiners. They train a minimum of an additional 90 hours in the classroom and 90 hours in hospital; coronary care units. They recertify according to State standards.

• The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company conducts a minimum of six training sessions each month for firefighters and ambulance personnel.

• Last Year our members (your neighbors) donated over 50.000 man-hours.

WE HAVE A LARGE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY:

In 2001 your fire company provided Fire and Emergency Medical Service to a population of over 63,000 people and responded to emergencies involving property valued at $169 million. The estimated property loss was held to less than 1% of the property value endangered. Fire and ambulance calls (6,557) averaged one call every hour and 20 minutes throughout the year. Our average response time was 2.3 minutes fire and 4.1 minutes ambulance.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS

A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE BEL AIR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY IS A CHARITABLE DONATION THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE:

IT KEEPS YOUR TAXES DOWN. Without volunteers performing these essential emergency services, your taxes would increase to pay the cost of 24-hour fire and ambulance crews and the cost of administrative services to operate the Bel Air and Forest Hill stations. The annual cost of replacing all volunteers with paid personnel will exceed $5 million.

IT KEEPS INSURANCE RATES DOWN. Insurance Services Office evaluation of our Company has resulted in favorable insurance premiums for the people served by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

IT IS EFFICIENT.  We are totally volunteer. 100% of your donation goes toward operations, training, maintenance and replacement of our equipment and buildings.

IT IS FAIR. Your fair share contribution shown on the enclosed form is only 40 cents for every $1,000.00 of assessed valuation. Apartment occupants are asked for a contribution based on average value of their personal property. The value of your property protected by the fire company is the most equitable basis for determining your donation.

WE ARE A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL GROUP OF PEOPLE. WE ARE PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY, OUR FIRE COMPANY AND OUR MEMBERS. WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME ONE OF US.

CALL 410-836-JOIN!