BAVFC 1980 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Major Dwelling Fires, and Extended Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1980 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, and extended fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, apartment fires, brush fires, landfill fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, and multiple multi-alarm mutual aid incidents across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with a building fire on January 3 near Route 1 and Forge Hill Road at the Always Inn, a location noted in the company’s history as having burned in earlier years. Crews used approximately 1,800 gallons of water. Engine 912 also assisted, and D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 20, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1300 block of Abingdon Road, Box 403. Company 3 responded with one engine, operating with Companies 4, 8, and 2. C. Jacobson served as acting officer. That same date, BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm dwelling fire in the 2700 block of Choate Road, Box 1308. Company 3 responded with four engines and the air unit. Crews used approximately 5,000 gallons of water, operating with Companies 13, 7, 3, 8, Battalion Chief 48, and Battalion Chief 47. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On January 22, crews responded to a building fire at the Susquehanna Environmental Center in the 700 block of North Tollgate Road. Engine 1311 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

February included dwelling, building, and brush fire responses. On February 3, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 900 block of South Main Street. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On February 5, crews assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1400 block of North Bend Road, Box 702. Company 3 responded with three engines. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 8, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid barn fire in the 2800 block of Scarff Road, Box 1306. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 600 gallons of water. C. Jacobson served as acting officer. That same date, Brush 341 assisted with a mutual aid brush fire near Nova Scotia and Cullum roads, Box 412. Crews operated for approximately two hours. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On February 17, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1500 block of East Wheel Road. One firefighter sustained a nail injury to the palm during the incident. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

March included several building fires. On March 6, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 900 block of Old Fallston Road, Box 1303. Company 3 responded with one engine, Truck 331, and the air unit, using approximately 600 gallons of water. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On March 16, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid barn fire in the 3900 block of Norrisville Road, Box 701. Company 3 responded with one engine. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On March 17, crews responded to a building fire in the 1000 block of Walters Mill Road involving a barn. The incident was initially reported as a truck fire. Engine 911 also assisted, and crews used approximately 4,300 gallons of water. Several firefighters sustained minor injuries, including burns and debris in the eye. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 29, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Lone Pine Trailer Park on North Tollgate Road. The fire involved a vacant laundry building. Company 3 units handled the incident and used approximately 800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

April included mutual aid fire responses. On April 12, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire near Route 440 and Scarboro Road, Box 915. Company 3 provided manpower with one engine and the air unit on the scene. Companies 9, 6, 1, 3, and Chief 7 operated at the incident. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On April 28, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire near Route 1 and Route 161. Company 3 responded with one engine, and crews used approximately 10,000 gallons of water during an operation lasting about four hours. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

May included a mutual aid barn fire and a serious bus crash. On May 6, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid barn fire in the 3000 block of Dublin Road, Box 915. Company 3 responded with three engines during a thunderstorm, and crews used approximately 2,000 gallons of water. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On May 16, BAVFC responded to a serious bus crash on MacPhail Road. Six ambulances and two helicopters were used during the response. One fatality was reported, and approximately 20 people were injured. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

June included mutual aid and a major lightning-related barn fire. On June 8, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Superthrift on Pulaski Highway, Box 805. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331 and operated for approximately two hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 28, crews responded to a barn fire in the 200 block of Patterson Mill Road on the Parsons property after a lightning strike ignited three buildings. Companies 8 and 4 also assisted. Crews used approximately 20,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $100,000. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On July 31, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire on Rockwell Street, Box 806. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331.

On August 10, BAVFC responded to a trailer fire in the 2700 block of Conowingo Road. Engine 911 also assisted, and crews used approximately 1,800 gallons of water. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

September included a dwelling fire, mutual aid building fire, and rescue. On September 11, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of East Jarrettsville Road involving a bedroom fire. Company 3 units handled the incident. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 18, BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm barn fire on Bradenbaugh Road, Box 711. Company 3 responded with one engine. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 27, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 24 and Lexington Road after a man became trapped beneath a car. One patient was flown from the scene. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

October included landfill, dwelling, building, and rescue responses. On October 13, BAVFC responded to a fire at the Tollgate Landfill. After approximately four hours of operations, the fire was left to burn under controlled conditions. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On October 18, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Old Federal Hill Road, Box 703. Company 3 responded with one engine and used approximately 600 gallons of water. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On October 19, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm barn fire in the 300 block of Reckord Road, Box 1301. Company 3 responded with three engines and the air unit. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 30, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Bel Air Road at Lake Fanny. Two ambulances responded, and firefighters used spreaders during the rescue. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

November was a particularly demanding month, beginning with a major dwelling fire on November 1 in the 2400 block of Ady Road at the Barrows property. The incident reached three alarms during windy conditions. Companies 9 and 7 also assisted. Crews used approximately 15,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $100,000. Two firefighter injuries were noted, including smoke and burn injuries requiring transport to Fallston General Hospital and a nail injury to the foot. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On November 4, crews responded to a building fire in the 1100 block of South Main Street involving a stable. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer. That same date, Company 3 responded from fill-in coverage at Company 7 to a mutual aid barn fire in Box 450-8, operating for approximately seven hours. T. Yost served as acting officer.

On November 6, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 3100 block of Ady Road. Company 9 assisted with two engines. Crews used approximately 10,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $70,000. One firefighter sustained a concussion during the incident. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

December closed the year with rescue and building fire activity. On December 14, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue at Route 24 and Wheel Road. Firefighters used spreaders and a chisel during the operation. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 15, crews responded to a building fire on North Main Street involving a storage barn that had formerly served as a carriage house. One firefighter was struck in the head by a hose coupling. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 18, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Hays Street and Pennsylvania Avenue involving a vacant State of Maryland property. Crews used approximately 6,000 gallons of water. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

The 1980 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, brush and landfill fire response, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. It also reflects the demanding conditions faced by members during multi-alarm fires, severe weather, serious crashes, and long-duration incidents throughout the year.

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