BAVFC 1968 Activity History Highlights Fires, Brush Fires, Mutual Aid Responses, and Major Water Supply Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1968 activity history reflects an active year of fire suppression, brush fire response, mutual aid coverage, and extended fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, brush fires, mutual aid assignments, and several incidents that required significant water supply operations across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began on January 13 with a dwelling fire in the 300 block of Wakefield Drive. Crews operated for approximately three hours, used about 1,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 18, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Forge Hill Road. Company 9 assisted with two units. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used approximately 150 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 20, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Ruff’s Mill Road near Route 1 involving a trailer. Firefighters used approximately 450 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

February brought several brush and building fires, including large wind-driven fires. On February 9, BAVFC responded to a brush fire that started near Red Pump Road and spread through the Marywood development area. The fire occurred during very windy conditions. Engine 73 also assisted, and crews used approximately 500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 17, crews responded to a major brush fire extending from MacPhail Road to Glenwood Road and Brandywine Court on the Livezey property. The fire involved approximately 100 acres. Companies 4 and 7 each assisted with two units. Crews operated for approximately four hours and used about 1,450 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 23, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Hall Street. Crews used approximately 850 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On February 27, crews responded to a building fire on Sandy Hook Road involving a shed and woods. Firefighters used approximately 100 gallons of water. S. Matthews served as acting officer.

On February 28, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Route 1 and Hollands Hill involving a large shed and field. Crews operated for approximately three and a half hours and used approximately 1,225 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

March included mutual aid and another large brush fire. On March 1, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Barren Lane in Abingdon. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 300 gallons of water. One firefighter sustained a hand injury. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On March 2, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Owens Market near Route 152 and Green Spring. Company 3 responded with two engines, and Companies 8 and 4 also assisted. Crews used approximately 1,100 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On March 26, BAVFC responded to a large brush fire extending from Carlo Court to Ryan Road. The fire involved approximately 200 acres of wooded area. Company 7 and forestry personnel also assisted. Crews used approximately 750 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

April included several dwelling and building fires. On April 18, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Thomas Run Road off Pennington Road. The incident was originally dispatched as Schucks Road off Route 22. Firefighters used approximately 2,100 gallons of water. J. Foard served as acting officer.

On April 19, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Fountain Green Store near Route 22 and Route 543. Crews operated for several hours, with about 20 personnel involved, and used approximately 3,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 30, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire at the north end of Old Emmorton Road. Firefighters used approximately 3,600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

May included mutual aid and local building fire responses. On May 6, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire on High Point Road between Route 23 and old Route 23. The incident involved a barn. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 8, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Route 543 at the Dallam Farm involving a smokehouse. Company 4 assisted with two engines. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On July 24, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire near Morse Road and Baldwin Mill Road. Company 3 responded with two engines during very hot conditions and used approximately 2,000 gallons of water. J. Foard served as acting officer.

August included two building fire responses. On August 27, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire on Rumsey Island in Joppatowne. Company 3 responded with one engine and operated with Companies 8 and 4, along with Battalion Chief 20. Crews worked for approximately three hours and used about 12,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 30, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 1100 block of Moores Mill Road involving a barn. Engine 16 also assisted, and crews used approximately 3,000 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

September included a dwelling fire and a major mill fire. On September 21, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Route 1 and Johnson Mill Road involving sheds. Engine 72 also assisted, and crews used approximately 1,200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 29, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Carrs Mill Road at Winters Run involving a mill. Engine 72 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately five hours and used approximately 75,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

October included a building fire and a dwelling fire. On October 1, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Johnny’s Sport Arena on Arena Road off Route 1. Firefighters operated for approximately two hours and used about 600 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On October 3, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Ryan Road off Oakmont. Companies 7 and 8 also assisted. Firefighters operated for approximately five hours and used about 1,300 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

November included several building and dwelling fires. On November 9, crews responded to a building fire in the 18 block of North Kelly Avenue involving a shed and playhouse. Firefighters used approximately 150 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 10, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Western Auto in the 16 block of North Main Street. Crews operated for approximately two hours and used about 800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 16, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire on the Scotts Fancy property. Firefighters used approximately 5,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 21, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Stoneleigh Place. Crews operated for approximately two hours and used approximately 50 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 27, crews responded to a building fire on Route 924, about one-tenth of a mile south of Patterson Mill Road. Engine 42 also assisted. Firefighters operated for approximately six hours and used about 11,000 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

December closed the year with building, dwelling, and mutual aid responses. On December 12, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Connolly Road at Tabernacle Church. Firefighters operated for approximately two hours and used approximately 300 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 15, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 400 block of Tollgate Road. Firefighters used approximately 15 gallons of water and operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 25, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Edgewood Arsenal involving barracks. Company 3 responded with two engines, operating with Companies 11, 4, and 8. Crews used approximately 45,000 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On December 30, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Ady Road, about one mile south of Deer Creek. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used approximately 2,350 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

The 1968 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, brush fire response, water supply operations, mutual aid coverage, and extended fireground operations. The year was marked by large brush fires, several barn and building fires, and major water supply demands that required coordinated work by BAVFC and neighboring companies.

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