BAVFC 1969 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Water Rescue, and Major Factory Fire

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1969 activity history reflects an active year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, water rescue, brush fire response, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, barn fires, brush fires, serious vehicle rescues, and several extended mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began on January 6 with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 200 block of Jaycee Drive, Box 821. Company 3 responded with one engine and operated for approximately six hours. Companies 8 and 4, along with Battalion Chief 48, also assisted. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On January 7, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire on Schucks Road. One firefighter sustained a back injury during the incident. Crews used approximately 200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 10, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Grafton Shop Road. Company 7 assisted with one engine. Firefighters used approximately 600 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On January 13, BAVFC responded to a brush fire near the Bel Air Bypass and Route 1. Company 7 assisted with three units. Crews used approximately 2,000 gallons of water and operated for approximately two and a half hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 23, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Rocks Road and Rocks Chrome Hill Road. Company 3 responded with one engine and operated for approximately two hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 27, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Schucks Road, approximately one and a half miles from Route 22. Engine 16 also assisted. Crews used approximately 300 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 31, crews responded to a building fire on Maulsby Avenue involving a garage. Firefighters used approximately 450 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

February included a dwelling fire and a two-alarm barn fire. On February 15, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 600 block of Old Joppa Road. Engines 81 and 83 also assisted, and crews used approximately 700 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On February 28, crews responded to a two-alarm building fire on Copenhaver Road involving a barn. Company 6 assisted with two units, and Company 9 assisted with four units. Firefighters operated for approximately five hours and used about 2,000 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

March included dwelling fires, brush fires, and mutual aid field fire operations. On March 3, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2700 block of Rocks Road. Engine 74 also assisted, and crews operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 23, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Rocks Road at the residence of Dale Vaughn. Engine 74 also assisted. D. MacLean served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to a brush fire on Briarcliff Lane involving approximately five acres. Firefighters used about 2,000 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On March 28, crews responded to a building fire on Route 24 north of Sharon Road involving a shed and field fire. Engine 72 and Brush 75 also assisted. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 29, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid field fire near Trappe Church and Poole roads. Squad 35 responded, with Companies 9 and 1 also assisting. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

April included one of the year’s most serious dwelling fires. On April 3, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Pleasantville Road north of Putnam Road. Two occupants were recovered from the fire ruins. Company 7 assisted with three units. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 14, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Carrs Mill Road near the bridge. Battalion Chief 38 and Company 7 also assisted. Firefighters used approximately 1,300 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On May 5, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire on Sharon Acres Road at the Ensor property, responding with two engines. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On May 25, BAVFC responded to a water rescue near Deer Creek Church off Ady Road. One male was deceased on arrival. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 21, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Route 1 and Parsonage Lane at M&O Trailer Sales. The incident involved a trailer. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On August 4, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at North Main Street and Howard Street. Firefighters used a saw, port-a-power, and bar during the rescue operation. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 16, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire near Route 40 and Route 152. Company 3 sent two engines to the scene and used approximately 1,300 gallons of water. Companies 8, 4, and 11, along with Battalion Chiefs 20 and 48, also operated at the incident. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On October 19, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Ward Road off Grier Nursery Road involving a barn. Engine 74 also assisted, and crews used approximately 1,600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

November included several dwelling fires and the year’s largest recorded fire. On November 1, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Corns Lane. Company 1 assisted with three units, and crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On November 12, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Jarrettsville Road near Route 24. Crews used approximately 100 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 20, BAVFC responded to a three-alarm building fire at the Daneker Clock Factory near Route 1 and Route 147. The fire was alerted at 3:59 a.m. Companies 8, 4, and 7, along with Battalion Chief 48, also assisted. Crews operated for approximately eight hours and used about 35,000 gallons of water. Damage was estimated at approximately $500,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several dwelling fire responses. On December 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Whitehouse Road off Route 1. Company 9 assisted with two engines, and crews used approximately 650 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 14, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Winterview Drive during snowy conditions. Firefighters used approximately 250 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 17, BAVFC responded to a small dwelling fire on Old Joppa Road at Pons Farm. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

The 1969 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, water rescue, brush fire response, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. The year was marked by serious incidents, extended operations, and a major factory fire that required a coordinated regional response.

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