BAVFC 1973 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Fatal Incidents, Mutual Aid Responses, and Severe Weather Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1973 activity history reflects a demanding year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid response, and major incident operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, apartment fires, vehicle rescues, a water leak at Harford Mall, quarry dump fire operations, and multiple serious incidents involving fatalities and firefighter injuries.

The year began on January 3 with a fatal personal injury rescue at Bel Air Road and Reckord Road. D. MacLean served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Schucks Road off Route 22. One fatality was reported. The fire involved a small residence measuring approximately 10 feet by 8 feet. Truck 121 also assisted, and crews used approximately 900 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 13, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Kalmia and Forge Hill roads. Crews used approximately 150 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $100. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 29, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire at the end of Locust Avenue on the Lynch Construction Company property. Firefighters used approximately 1,400 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

February included several building and dwelling fires. On February 3, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 600 block of Plumtree Road on the Adelaide White property. The fire involved a barn. Crews used approximately 24,450 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 14, crews responded to a building fire on Route 152 near Oakmont involving a garage and vehicles. Company 7 assisted with three units. Firefighters used approximately 6,800 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 28, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Carrs Mill and Belle Meade roads. Truck 726 also assisted. Crews used approximately 400 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 8, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Thomas Run and Pennington roads involving a barn. Truck 121 also assisted. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. B. Banick served as acting officer.

April included several dwelling fires, a mutual aid response, and a significant water damage incident. On April 10, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1500 block of Rolling Road. Crews used approximately 50 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $8,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On April 19, BAVFC responded to a water leak at Wetzler’s in Harford Mall. Companies 2 and 7 assisted. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 20, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Thomas Run and Pennington roads on the Ruff property. A chimney fire extended into the wall and floor. Truck 121 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $100. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On April 21, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid barn fire near Old Joppa Road and Hollingsworth Road. Company 8 and Battalion Chief 48 also operated on the scene. Company 3 responded with two engines. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On April 28, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1700 block of North Fountain Green Road. One firefighter sustained a burn injury to the hand. Crews used approximately 150 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,500. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On April 29, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire on Forest Valley Drive off Route 24. The structure was fully involved on arrival. Firefighters used approximately 15,000 gallons of water. The structure was listed as having no value. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

May included a mutual aid dwelling response. On May 13, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Scarborough Road and Route 440, responding with one engine. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 11, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid quarry dump fire near Little Gunpowder and Route 147. Company 3 responded with one engine and a brush unit. Crews used approximately 27,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 28, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Grafton Shop and Boggs roads after the incident was initially dispatched as a transformer problem. Fire involved a vacant house and sheds. Crews used approximately 1,800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

July included a fatal rescue and a barn fire. On July 1, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Emmorton Road and Glenwood Road. Firefighters used a chisel, port-a-power, and hacksaw during the rescue. One fatality was reported. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On July 27, crews responded to a building fire near Thomas Run and Pennington roads on the Fortner property. The fire involved a barn. Truck 121 also assisted. Crews used approximately 6,500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. B. Banick served as acting officer.

August included a serious crash and a dwelling fire. On August 22, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Emmorton and Wheel roads. One patient was flown from the scene, and one fatality was reported. Unit 451 also assisted. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 26, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of Moores Mill Road. Crews used approximately 1,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $8,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

September included dwelling fires and several fatal crash responses. On September 12, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire near Plumtree and Emmorton roads. Truck 421 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 15, BAVFC responded to a personal injury collision at Harford Road and Route 152 involving two ejected occupants. One patient was flown from the scene, and one fatality was reported. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On September 28, crews responded to a personal injury collision on Carrs Mill Road involving an overturned vehicle. One fatality was reported. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

October included a fatal construction-site rescue, a dwelling fire, and an apartment fire. On October 1, BAVFC responded to the new Fallston General Hospital construction site after a wall fell on two workers. One fatality was reported. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 15, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 4 block of Forest Drive involving a basement fire from a chimney. Damage was estimated at approximately $500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 27, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 400 block of Moores Mill Road, Apartment 6. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. B. Banick served as acting officer.

November included multiple dwelling and building fires. On November 7, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2300 block of Bel Air Road at Dr. Kilby’s residence. Dr. Kilby was transported to Franklin, and Battalion Chief 48 and Company 8 also assisted. Firefighters used approximately 400 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 11, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Chestnut Hill Road off Ady Road. Engine 912 also assisted. Crews used approximately 1,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On November 13, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1900 block of Conowingo Road. Company 7 assisted with two engines. Crews used approximately 1,600 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 16, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Route 147 south of the county line involving a barn. Company 3 responded with three engines and Truck 331. Battalion Chiefs 48, 38, and 10 also assisted. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 21, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Marshall Drive. Firefighters used approximately 100 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. B. Banick served as acting officer.

December closed the year with a commercial building fire, dwelling fires, mutual aid response, and heavy snow operations. On December 2, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Kroh’s Cleaners. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. Several firefighter injuries were reported, including dental injuries, burns to the chest, and burns to the hand. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On December 3, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Federal Hill Road near Route 23. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit and operated for approximately two hours. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

That same date, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of Baltimore Pike. Firefighters used approximately 2,200 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 16, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 800 block of Kingston Court, Box 806, during heavy snow. Company 3 responded with one engine, Truck 331, and the air unit. Truck 331 flowed water for approximately five minutes. Companies 8, 4, 3, 12E, Battalion Chief 48, and Battalion Chief 20 operated on the scene. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

The 1973 activity history demonstrates the wide range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid response, water supply operations, and major fireground support. It also reflects the difficult and sometimes tragic conditions members faced while serving the community throughout the year.

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