BAVFC 1978 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Fatal Incidents, Mutual Aid Responses, and Major Fireground Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1978 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, hazardous materials response, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, apartment fires, brush and field fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, a significant fuel spill, and several difficult rescue incidents.

The year began on January 9 with a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Crescent Drive. Crews operated during snowy and windy conditions, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 20, BAVFC responded to Fox Bow Drive for a rescue involving a child with a reinforcing rod in the leg. Crews used a hacksaw during the rescue operation.

February included one of the year’s larger hazardous materials responses. On February 8, crews responded to Creswell Fuel Company in the 500 block of North Main Street for a gasoline leak from tanks. The incident occurred during very cold conditions and involved approximately 20,000 gallons. Companies 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 also operated at the location.

On February 9, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Heims Lane, Box 821. Three fatalities were reported. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water, and one firefighter sustained a knee injury. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On February 16, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3800 block of Norrisville Road, Box 701. Company 3 responded with two engines and used approximately 3,000 gallons of water. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On February 18, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1900 block of Angelside Drive, Box 1303. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331 for a dryer fire. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On February 21, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of Shamrock Road. Crews used approximately 100 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On February 28, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2700 block of Chestnut Hill Road. Engine 912 also assisted. Crews used approximately 450 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

March included fire and rescue responses. On March 12, BAVFC responded to a fatal personal injury collision on Bel Air Road near Broadview. D. MacLean served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Emmorton Road and Bright Oaks Drive, where spreaders were used during the rescue operation. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On March 13, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 2500 block of Ady Road involving a large shed that was destroyed. Company 9 assisted with two engines. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 31, crews responded to a vacant dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Ady Road. Engine 912 also assisted, and the structure was saved. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

April brought a period of very dry conditions and multiple field fires. On April 8 and again on April 18, BAVFC handled multiple field fires attributed to the dry conditions.

On April 9, crews responded to a building fire in the 1700 block of Thomas Run Road involving a shed that was on the ground on arrival. Engine 111 also assisted. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On April 14, BAVFC responded to a brush fire behind the Bel Air Barracks involving approximately one and a half acres. Brush 841 also assisted. Crews used approximately 2,000 gallons of water. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On April 17, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 300 block of Reckord Road involving a large trailer. Company 3 responded with three engines and the air unit. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

May included several building and dwelling fires. On May 8, a Company 3 engine arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 400 block of Timber Lane. Fire was located in a bedroom, and crews used approximately 50 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 14, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Bel Air Commercial Paint in the 700 block of Bel Air Road. Engines 1311 and 811 also assisted. Crews used approximately 300 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 23, crews responded to a building fire in the 2200 block of Conowingo Road involving a pump shed house. Companies 9 and 7 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $300. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 24, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Kalmia Road. Companies 9 and 1 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately four hours, used about 7,500 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

June included mutual aid and barn fire activity. On June 12, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire near Old Joppa and Old Mountain roads, Box 831. Company 3 responded with two engines during hot weather. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 22, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm building fire on Park Road near Hess Road, Box 1309, involving a barn. Company 3 responded with two engines and operated for approximately three hours. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On June 26, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Thomas Run and Kalmia roads involving a barn on the Barrows property. Access to the barn was limited, and the owner was advised that crews could not safely reach the structure. Engine 912 also assisted. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On July 28, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire with an explosion in the 200 block of Princeton Lane. The incident was dispatched after a second house fire was reported next door. Companies 13, 4, 7, and 9 also assisted. Damage was estimated at approximately $65,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

September included mutual aid, apartment, rescue, and dwelling fire activity. On September 1, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 4100 block of Overlook Drive, Box 708. Company 3 responded with two engines. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 12, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Harford Creamery Road, Box 708, responding with two engines. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On September 21, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 1700 block of Melwood Court, Box 806HR. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331 and operated for approximately three hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 23, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Churchville Road and Tudor Lane. A come-along was used during the rescue operation. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 29, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2700 block of Forge Hill Road. The home was a total loss. Engine 912 also assisted. Crews used approximately 7,800 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. Houck served as acting officer.

October included agricultural, building, apartment, and rescue incidents. On October 11, BAVFC responded to a corn dryer fire in the 200 block of East Jarrettsville Road. Two firefighter back injuries were reported. Damage was estimated at approximately $8,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 15, crews responded to a building fire near Route 23 and Route 24 involving the Vaughn barn. Companies 7 and 9 also assisted. Crews used approximately 1,200 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $900. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 22, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid apartment fire in the 800 block of Mount Vernon Court, Box 806. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331 and operated for approximately four hours. Truck 331 flowed approximately 5,000 gallons of water. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On October 24, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3600 block of Advocate Hill Drive, Box 703, responding with three engines. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

On October 27, BAVFC responded to a rescue involving a child struck in a corn bin. The child was deceased on arrival. E. Watkins served as acting officer.

November included dwelling, building, apartment, and mutual aid responses. On November 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 900 block of Milroy Terrace. Crews used approximately 2,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. Two firefighters sustained finger injuries during the incident. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On November 6, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid barn fire in the 3400 block of Jarrettsville Pike, Box 717, responding with two engines. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On November 9, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 300 block of North Main Street involving an upstairs apartment. Crews used approximately 50 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 10, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire near Guyton Road and Reckord Road, Box 1303. Company 3 responded with four engines and Truck 331 and operated for approximately two hours. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On November 25, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2100 block of Parsons Lane, Box 343. Companies 13 and 8 also assisted. Crews used approximately 2,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $7,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several structure fires and a mutual aid injury. On December 2, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 500 block of South Fountain Green Road involving a barn that was destroyed. Engine 111 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately three and a half hours and used about 15,000 gallons of water. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On December 10, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2000 block of Kalmia Road. Engine 912 also assisted. Crews used approximately 400 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $4,000. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On December 21, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid barn fire on Sharon Road, Box 725. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit. Crews operated for approximately three hours during cold conditions. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On December 23, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 600 block of Evergreen Drive. Engine 912 also assisted. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $35,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 27, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Nelson Lane. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 3,000 gallons of water. One firefighter fell through a floor and sustained a nail injury to the thigh, requiring transport to Fallston General Hospital. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

The 1978 activity history demonstrates the wide range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, hazardous materials response, water supply operations, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. It also reflects the difficult and sometimes tragic incidents handled by members throughout the year.

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