BAVFC 1976 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Major Barn Fires, and Apparatus Milestone

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1976 activity history reflects an active year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, and major fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, barn fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, technical rescues, and multi-alarm mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began on January 8 with a two-alarm building fire at Bel Air Concrete on Franklin Street. Crews used approximately 1,200 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid barn fire in the 2300 block of Baldwin Mill Road. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 15,000 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 18, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 600 block of Town Center Drive, responding with an engine, Truck 331, and the air unit. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

February included apartment, dwelling, rescue, and mutual aid fire responses. On February 9, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 100 block of Williams Street. Firefighters used approximately 20 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 17, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Route 1 north of Ruff’s Mill Road. The fire was electrical in nature. Engine 912 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 28, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Route 1 at Blue Bell. Firefighters used a port-a-power, chisel, and hacksaw during the extrication. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On February 29, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid barn fire near Harford Road and New Cut Road, Box 480. Company 3 responded with three engines and Truck 331 and operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

March included mutual aid and local dwelling fires. On March 7, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Trappe Road and Forge Hill Road, Box 928. The incident involved a chimney fire extending into the home. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On March 17, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Old Emmorton Road. Engine 413 also assisted. Firefighters used approximately 300 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $8,000. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On March 19, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Thomas Run Road. The fire was attributed to careless smoking. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

April brought several notable incidents, including a barn fire and a well rescue. On April 4, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire near Grier Nursery and Pyle Road after a lightning strike. Firefighters used approximately 100 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $4,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 9, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Fashion Bug in Harford Mall. Crews used approximately 50 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 18, crews responded to a two-alarm building fire at the Meoli Barn in the 1200 block of MacPhail Road. Companies 4 and 1 also assisted. Crews used approximately 16,500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $150,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

That same date, BAVFC responded behind Harford Mall for a rescue involving a boy trapped at the bottom of a 40-foot well. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On April 28, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3800 block of Old Federal Hill Road, Box 703. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit. D. Houck served as acting officer.

May included a mutual aid dwelling fire and a building fire. On May 23, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3000 block of Sycamore Court, Box 801. Company 3 responded with one engine, and crews used approximately 2,400 gallons of water. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On May 30, crews responded to a building fire at the Blue Bell Restaurant. Companies 8 and Battalion Chief 48 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately two hours, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

June included a lightning-related barn fire and an apparatus milestone. On June 16, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm building fire in the 1900 block of Grafton Shop Road involving a windmill and barn struck by lightning. Companies 7 and 8 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 20, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on West Riding Drive. The incident was recorded as the first call for the 1975 Seagrave Truck 331.

On June 25, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Fork Road near Route 147, responding with one engine and using approximately 600 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 19, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 100 block of Seevue Court, Apartment E. Fire was located in the attic. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

August included a serious bus crash and several major fire responses. On August 21, BAVFC responded to a personal injury collision at Route 24 and Sharon Road after a charter bus struck a telephone pole. Approximately 20 people were transported to the hospital. Company 7 assisted with two ambulances. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 25, crews responded to a two-alarm building fire at the Hi Glass Inn near Route 1 and Forge Hill Road. Companies 1, 6, 7, and 9 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately five hours and used approximately 12,000 gallons of water. Damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 30, Company 3 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2100 block of Hampshire Drive, Box 725. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

September included several mutual aid and local fire responses. On September 11, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Sharon Road off Route 24 involving a shed. Crews used approximately 2,200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 20, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire on Judy Way, Box 806. Company 3 responded with two engines, Truck 331, and the air unit. Crews operated for approximately four hours and used about 500 gallons of water. One firefighter was transported to Fallston General Hospital with an ankle injury. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 24, Company 3 assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid building fire on Salem Church Road, Box 701. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit and operated for approximately four hours. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On September 29, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Sharon Acres Road. Company 3 responded with two engines and used approximately 2,400 gallons of water. D. Houck served as acting officer.

October included building and dwelling fire responses. On October 9, crews responded to the C&P Building on Hays Street for a building fire involving fire in the walls. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On October 12, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a construction trailer on Kenmore Avenue. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 15, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 900 block of Greenfield Road, Box 831. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 100 gallons of water. B. Banick served as acting officer.

November was a busy month for barn, dwelling, apartment, and mutual aid building fires. On November 4, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 400 block of South Fountain Green Road involving a barn. The fire was reported to have been started by two children. Crews used approximately 36,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 5, Company 3 assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid building fire involving apartments and shops near Route 147 and York Road. Company 3 responded with three engines, Truck 331, and the air unit. Crews operated for approximately five hours and used about 10,200 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 8, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 800 block of Red Pump Road caused by a chimney fire. Company 7 assisted with two engines, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 26, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire near Routes 1 and 136. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 28, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 200 block of Melrose Lane. Engine 712 also assisted. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $7,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several significant fires. On December 11, BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid building fire near Route 165 and Greene Road, Box 718. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On December 16, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 4 block of North Bond Street. Engines 111 and 811 also assisted while another call was ongoing. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On December 24, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 2200 block of Bel Air Road. Companies 8 and Battalion Chief 48 also assisted. Crews used approximately 12,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

That same date, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of Maitland Street. Crews used approximately 100 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $200. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

The 1976 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, technical rescue, and major fireground operations. It also marks an important apparatus milestone with the first recorded call for the 1975 Seagrave Truck 331.

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