BAVFC 1965 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, and Major Fireground Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1965 activity history reflects a steady year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, and community emergency service. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, woods fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, technical rescues, and mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began on January 7 with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Old Joppa Road at the Olney Farm, involving the Demmie residence. Company 3 responded with three engines and operated with Companies 8 and 4. Crews used approximately 2,500 gallons of water and worked for about four hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 12, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 32 block of Crestview Road involving the downstairs area of the home. Firefighters used approximately 550 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 13, crews responded to a personal injury collision on Route 152 involving a bus. Ten people were injured. Two days later, on January 15, BAVFC responded to a fatal personal injury collision on Route 22 before Route 543, where one occupant was ejected.

February included several significant fire responses. On February 2, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Foxcroft Road. A salamander heater was reportedly knocked over by wind, spreading oil through the house and starting the fire. A field was also burning. Crews used approximately 3,100 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On February 3, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire at the Peach Bottom Atomic Plant. Companies 6, 9, 10, 1, and 2 also responded. The fire was reported near the reactor area.

On February 20, crews responded to a building fire on Laurel Brook Road involving a barn. Firefighters used approximately 1,250 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On February 23, BAVFC handled two building fires. Crews responded to Franklin Concrete at the end of Franklin Street, using approximately 500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer. Later, firefighters responded to a chicken house fire on North Tollgate Road at the dump entrance, using approximately 1,025 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

March included several building and dwelling fires. On March 4, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Old Route 23 and Grafton Shop Road involving a dairy house. Crews operated for approximately two and a half hours and used about 1,500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 13, crews responded to a building fire near Route 543 and Gibson Road involving a shed. Firefighters used approximately 800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 24, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Schucks Road and Wheel Road. One occupant sustained burns. Crews used approximately 1,375 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

April brought dwelling fires, a woods fire, a rescue, and several building fires. On April 5, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 200 block of North Hickory Avenue. Firefighters operated for approximately two hours and used about 200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 8, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Ryan Road involving a trailer. Crews used approximately 1,025 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 12, crews responded to a woods fire near Tollgate Road and Vale Road involving approximately three acres. Firefighters operated for approximately three hours and used about 500 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On April 13, BAVFC responded to Grafton Shop Road for a rescue involving a man trapped under a bulldozer. Crews operated for approximately one hour. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On April 14, crews responded to a building fire near Old Route 23 and High Point Road involving the Moore house and Tucker barn. Sparks from the house roof reportedly ignited the barn. Company 7 also assisted, and crews used approximately 1,200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 17, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Honeysuckle Drive involving a utility trailer. Firefighters used approximately 250 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On April 18, crews responded to a building fire near Thomas Run and Kalmia roads on the Barrows property. Firefighters used approximately 225 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

May included building, dwelling, and rescue activity. On May 7, crews responded to a building fire on Medical Hall Road involving a barn on the Hall property. Firefighters used approximately 2,900 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On May 10, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire at Hicks Trailer Park on Tollgate Road near Bel Air Road. Crews used approximately 1,625 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 29, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of East Broadway that included a rescue. Don MacLean and Howdie Reith removed an unconscious woman from the bathroom floor and provided CPR. Crews used approximately 150 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

June included several structure fires. On June 8, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Evergreen Drive and Conowingo Road. Firefighters operated for approximately two and a half hours and used about 400 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 15, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Carrs Mill Road at Winters Run. Fire was blowing from a third-floor window on arrival. The fire was listed as arson. Crews used approximately 1,500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 18, firefighters responded to a building fire near Harford Road and Reckord Road involving a shed. Crews used approximately 3,000 gallons of water.

July included two building fires. On July 5, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 400 block of Moores Mill Road involving a car and loft. Crews used approximately 800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 20, crews responded to Bel Air Moving & Storage off Emmorton Road on Victory Street for a storage shed fire. Firefighters used approximately 1,600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 15, BAVFC responded to a fatal personal injury rescue at the intersection of Route 24 and Route 24. One fatality was reported.

October included two dwelling fires. On October 1, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Route 152 and Route 147. Firefighters used approximately 2,200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 900 block of Williams Street at the Fischer house. Crews used approximately 100 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

November included dwelling and building fire activity. On November 9, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Watervale Road involving the second floor of a tenant house. Company 8 also assisted. Firefighters used approximately 150 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 18, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Rock Spring Church Road and Route 24 involving a shed and woods. The fire extended into the woods, and crews used approximately 4,090 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

December closed the year with mutual aid, building, and dwelling fire responses. On December 4, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid barn fire near Route 155 and Glenville Road. Company 3 responded with one engine, operating with Companies 1 and 2. Crews used approximately 3,750 gallons of water. Seibold served as acting officer.

On December 6, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Twin Kiss Drive-In near Bel Air Road and Tollgate Road. The drive-in restaurant was on fire. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 150 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 28, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of North Bond Street. One firefighter sustained an eye injury from plaster. Firefighters used approximately 500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 31, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the end of Honeysuckle Drive involving a construction trailer. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

The 1965 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, woods fire response, and major fireground operations. The year included serious crashes, occupant injuries, firefighter injuries, and several fires requiring coordinated water supply and extended operations.

Residents are encouraged to follow BAVFC for department updates, fire prevention information, and opportunities to support or volunteer with the company.