BAVFC 1974 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Water Rescue, Mutual Aid Responses, and Department Loss

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1974 activity history reflects a demanding year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, water rescue, and major fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, barn fires, brush fires, vehicle rescues, and several multi-alarm mutual aid incidents across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began on January 1 with a dwelling fire in the 1700 block of Fountain Green Road. Crews used approximately 900 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 9, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 2000 block of Melrose Lane. Engine 711 also assisted. Crews used approximately 300 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $4,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 13, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Sharon Road. Company 3 responded with three engines, Truck 331, and the air unit. Companies 10 and 7 also operated on the scene. Crews used approximately 2,400 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 14, crews returned to the same Sharon Road property for a mutual aid dwelling fire involving the now-vacant structure, which was on the ground on arrival. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 27, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire near Route 152 and Route 146 on the Scarff property. The fire involved a barn. Company 3 responded with two engines, operating with Company 7, Battalion Chief 47, and Company 10. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

February included fire, rescue, and water rescue activity. On February 3, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire on Wilgus Road off Route 1. Crews used approximately 1,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 11, BAVFC responded to a water rescue near Old Joppa and Whitaker Mill roads after a 14-year-old boy fell through ice on a large pond while attempting to rescue his dog. Crews found the dog alive, but the boy was located submerged and was classified as priority four.

On February 13, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 200 block of Aster Lane. Engine 711 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately two hours, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On February 15, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 1600 block of Denise Drive after fire started in trash next to the apartments. Engine 711 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $700. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 17, Company 3 assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Route 440 near Deerfield. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit and operated for approximately three hours. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On February 21, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Maulsby Street involving fire on the rear porch. Crews used approximately 400 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 24, BAVFC responded to a brush fire in the Bradford Village development involving approximately four and a half acres. T. Broumel served as acting officer.

March included several mutual aid responses and local fires. On March 11, crews responded to a two-alarm building fire on Route 1 north of Hickory involving a barn. The fire was listed as arson. Companies 9, 7, and 1 also assisted. Crews used approximately 11,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On March 13, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Bynum Road near Marshall Drive on the Streett property. One resident was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital with second-degree burns. Crews used approximately 200 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 15, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire on Route 136 about one mile south of Route 1. The incident involved a barn and woods fire. Company 3 responded with one engine and a brush unit. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On March 18, Engine 313 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire near Cedar Lane and Northridge Drive, Box 411. The incident involved a shed and house trailer. Company 3 responded with two engines. One firefighter sustained a knee injury after striking a hydrant. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On March 22, crews responded to a building fire near Waters Street and Old Fallston Road involving a shed. Crews used approximately 300 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $100. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On March 26, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid apartment fire in the 2000 block of Wilson Street in Edgewood. The incident involved vacant apartments. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331. Companies 8, 4, 3, and 11, along with Battalion Chief 48, operated on the scene. One firefighter sustained a leg injury. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

April included mutual aid and local building fire activity. On April 3, Truck 331 and the air unit assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid building fire at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Havre de Grace. Crews operated for approximately three hours with Companies 5, 2, 1, 12, 3, and Chief 6. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 6, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Route 23 and Route 24 involving an old barn with no access. The barn was fully involved on arrival. Engine 711 also assisted. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

May included dwelling, rescue, and building fire responses. On May 9, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2800 block of Harford Road. Battalion Chief 48 and Company 8 also assisted. Crews used approximately 200 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 15, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue near Dixie Drive and Spring Road after a station wagon was run over by a front-end loader. Crews cut two corner posts and a steering wheel during the rescue. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On May 17, crews responded to a building fire on Cloverdale Drive involving a vacant garage and field fire. Engine 711 also assisted. Crews used approximately 1,800 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. D. Houck served as acting officer.

June included several dwelling and building fires. On June 3, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Beechwood Lane, Box 320. Battalion Chief 48 arrived first. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 9, crews responded to a building fire behind Harford Mall involving a vacant structure. Crews used approximately 100 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On June 12, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire on West Jarrettsville Road near Cooptown, Box 703. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit. Companies 7, Battalion Chief 47, and 10 also assisted. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 19, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire on Route 136 north of Deer Creek involving a barn. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 2,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 24, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Gilwood Drive, Box 821. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 600 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

July included a fatal crash, a building fire, and a significant department loss. On July 10, BAVFC responded to a personal injury collision on Moores Mill Road at Bynum Bridge after a single vehicle struck the bridge. One fatality was reported.

On July 25, crews responded to a building fire at Donn Access Floors in Forest Hill Industrial Park. Engine 711 and Truck 831 also assisted. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 29, the company marked the passing of Chief Robert King, who served as a member from 1938 to 1974. His decades of service were part of the foundation of BAVFC’s history and continued commitment to the community.

August included a vacant dwelling fire. On August 24, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 800 block of Bel Air Road, behind Hinder Motors. The structure was vacant, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. B. Banick served as acting officer.

September included major mutual aid, dwelling, and rescue activity. On September 3, Company 3 assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid building fire at S.H. Anderson Hardware on Route 40 near Joppa Farm. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit. Companies 8, 4, 12E, 3, 2, and 1, along with Battalion Chief 48, operated on the scene. Several firefighters were transported to Harford Memorial Hospital, and crews operated for approximately five hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On September 10, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm barn fire near Route 152 off Rutledge Road, Box 718. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit. Crews used approximately 20,000 gallons of water and operated for approximately six and a half hours. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On September 12, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1500 block of North Fountain Green Road. Engine 912 also assisted. Crews used approximately 400 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 13, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue on Route 24 north of Sharon Road. Firefighters used bars, a port-a-power, and a hacksaw during the rescue operation. Two ambulances responded. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On September 27, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Wheel Road and Cedar Lane. Engine 311 arrived first, and Company 3 responded with two engines and Truck 331. Crews used approximately 800 gallons of water. One firefighter was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital with burns. T. Broumel served as acting officer.

October included mutual aid, building, and dwelling fires. On October 3, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Jerry’s Road off Madonna Road. Company 3 responded with one engine and operated for approximately two and a half hours. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On October 12, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid barn fire near Chrome Hill and Rush Road. Company 3 responded with two engines and used approximately 1,200 gallons of water. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On October 15, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Old Joppa Road and Interstate 95, Box 801, responding with one engine and the air unit. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 22, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Chestnut Hill Road and Deer Creek Church Road involving a barn. Engine 911 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 2,650 gallons of water. Damage was estimated at approximately $8,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 29, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Guyton Road involving a trailer. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

November was especially active. On November 1, Company 3 assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3300 block of Snake Lane. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit and used approximately 1,200 gallons of water. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On November 14, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2100 block of Carrs Mill Road. Fire was held to the garage. Engine 711 also assisted. Crews used approximately 3,500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 24, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1000 block of Carrs Mill Road involving a bedroom fire. Engine 711 also assisted. Crews used approximately 50 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 26, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 1300 block of Locust Avenue involving a shed. Crews used approximately 1,200 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. B. Banick served as acting officer.

On November 27, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Wakley Terrace and Route 24 involving a vacant home that was destroyed. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used approximately 1,800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 28, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Deer Creek Church Road involving a small barn. Companies 9 and 6 also assisted. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 29, crews responded to a cornfield fire on Parsons Lane involving approximately six acres. T. Broumel served as acting officer.

The year closed with two December mutual aid dwelling fires. On December 7, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Mountain Road. Company 3 responded with two engines and operated for approximately one hour. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On December 26, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Brooks Road, Box 403. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit. The structure was the original Constant Friendship house and, at the time, was noted as one of the oldest homes in Harford County. Crews used approximately 3,800 gallons of water. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

The 1974 activity history demonstrates the wide 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. It also reflects a year marked by serious incidents, firefighter injuries, and the loss of longtime member Chief Robert King.

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