BAVFC 1970 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Water Rescue, and Truck Company Milestone

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1970 activity history reflects an active year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid response, water rescue, and major fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, barn fires, building fires, vehicle rescues, and several serious incidents requiring extended operations and mutual aid coordination.

The year began on January 1 with a dwelling fire on Ruff’s Mill Road involving a trailer. Crews used approximately 80 gallons of water and operated for about two hours. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On January 14, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire at Hickory Hills. Crews operated for approximately four hours and used about 48,000 gallons of water. The cab door on Engine 34 was damaged by radiant heat during the incident. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 20, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Singer Road during snowy conditions. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 1,000 gallons of water. Companies 4 and 8 also assisted. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On January 21, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Rittenhouse Fuel Company on Norrisville Road. Company 3 responded with two engines and used approximately 600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 25, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 3000 block of Reckord Road. Firefighters used approximately 900 gallons of water and operated for about two hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 27, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Forge Hill Road near Route 1. Company 3 responded with two engines and used approximately 1,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

February included mutual aid, dwelling, and trailer fire responses. On February 5, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire on Cool Spring Road involving a pig shed. Company 3 responded with three engines and used approximately 150 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On February 22, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Thomas Run Road and Prospect Mill Road involving a trailer. Crews used approximately 1,000 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 24, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Rock Spring Road. Firefighters operated for approximately four hours and used about 3,900 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

March included several serious incidents. On March 16, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Route 152 near Pleasantville Road. Crews used approximately 2,000 gallons of water. Three members were transported to the hospital following the incident. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On March 21, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Dixie Lane. Firefighters used approximately 425 gallons of water and operated for about two hours. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On March 23, BAVFC responded to an auto fire near Bel Air Road and Tollgate Road after an explosive device detonated prematurely. The device was intended for the courthouse during the Rap Brown trial. Two fatalities were reported in the vehicle.

May included several dwelling and mutual aid responses. On May 7, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Route 1 near Gibson Road. One firefighter was bitten by a dog during the incident. Crews used approximately 900 gallons of water and operated for about three hours. C. Barnes served as acting officer. That same date, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Pleasantville Road near Route 152, responding with two engines and using approximately 1,000 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On May 10, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Rock Spring Road near Hall Street. Firefighters used approximately 2,300 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $4,500. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On May 12, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of North Main Street. Crews operated for approximately four hours and used about 4,600 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

June included barn fire activity. On June 5, crews responded to a building fire involving a barn during stormy conditions. Firefighters operated for approximately four hours and used about 5,000 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On June 26, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a barn on Thomas Run Road near Route 22. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water. C. Barnes served as acting officer.

On July 17, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Route 147 near New Cut Road. Three engines responded, and crews operated for approximately two hours, using about 600 gallons of water.

August included dwelling fires, rescue operations, and a water rescue. On August 1, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Guyton Road near Powder Mill. Firefighters used approximately 1,050 gallons of water and operated for about three hours. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On August 14, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Watervale Road and Old Fallston Road involving an LP gas tractor-trailer. Crews operated for approximately three hours. One firefighter sustained an ankle injury. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On August 20, crews responded to Rocks for a water rescue. Firefighters used rope and pike poles during the operation and worked for approximately two hours. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On August 22, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Carrs Mill Road. Engine 72 also assisted, and crews used approximately 750 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On August 30, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 22 and Prospect Mill Road involving an occupant pinned under the dashboard. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

September included a fatal crash and several building and dwelling fires. On September 6, BAVFC responded to a personal injury collision at Harford Road and Route 152. One fatality was reported. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 11, crews responded to a building fire involving a barn near Walters Mill and Grier Nursery roads. Firefighters operated for approximately two hours, used about 1,100 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $200. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On September 12, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a shed to the rear of the unit block of Broadway. Crews operated for approximately one hour and used about 400 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to a building fire on Route 1 at the Spicer property. Company 9 assisted with two engines. Firefighters operated for approximately four hours and used about 6,500 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On September 28, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire at the MacPhail house on MacPhail Road. Company 4 assisted with three engines. Crews operated for approximately three hours. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

October included several fire and rescue responses. On October 9, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Rock Spring Road at the Whitfill residence. Company 7 assisted with two engines. Firefighters used approximately 500 gallons of water and operated for about three hours. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On October 14, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire involving a barn on the Buttons property on Sharon Road. Company 3 arrived first, responded with three engines, and used approximately 2,500 gallons of water. Company 7 also assisted with three engines. Crews operated for approximately four and a half hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On October 15, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Routes 23 and 24. Firefighters used approximately 1,400 gallons of water and operated for about four hours. S. Matthews served as acting officer.

On October 17, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 543 and Route 1. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On October 24, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Lutz’s on Pennsylvania Avenue. Firefighters operated for approximately three and a half hours and used about 500 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

November included dwelling fires, mutual aid, and rescue activity. On November 1, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Pyle Road off Grier Nursery Road. Companies 6 and 7 also assisted. Firefighters operated for approximately six hours and used about 5,000 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Route 24 north of Forest Hill after a vehicle struck a tree. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 14, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire involving a barn on Route 1 north of Poplar Grove Road. Company 3 responded with three engines and used approximately 1,200 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 24, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Forge Hill Road. Crews used approximately 3,500 gallons of water and operated for about three hours. T. Broumel served as acting officer.

December closed the year with a garage fire and an important truck company milestone. On December 24, crews responded to a building fire involving a garage on Waverly Road. Firefighters used approximately 2,600 gallons of water and operated for about two hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

That same date, Truck 3 made its first run to the 200 block of Bond Street for a ladder detail. The recorded crew included Purcell, Dn. MacLean, R. Britton, T. Harrington, H. Matthews, D. Price, and M. Walls.

The 1970 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, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. The year was also marked by serious crashes, firefighter injuries, extended fireground operations, and the first recorded run of Truck 3.

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