BAVFC 1983 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Storm Calls, and New Engine Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1983 activity history reflects an active year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, severe weather response, and apparatus milestones. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, barn fires, brush fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, thunderstorm-related emergencies, and multiple mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with a dwelling fire on January 7 in the 2500 block of Johnson Mill Road. Fire involved a garage, but crews were able to protect the house. Engine 714 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 16, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Main Street and Route 22. Firefighters used spreaders and a port-a-power during the extrication. S. Cox served as acting officer.

February included another rescue response. On February 27, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue on the Bel Air Bypass near Tollgate Road. Firefighters used spreaders during the operation. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

March included a small household fire and a building fire. On March 4, crews responded to a dwelling fire involving a dryer at the home of Tony Coliano. On March 27, BAVFC responded to a building fire near North Bond Street and Alice Anne Street. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

April brought an important apparatus milestone. On April 3, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire behind the former Klein’s Grocery. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer. The incident also marked the first run for the 1983 Seagrave Engines 314 and 316.

On May 9, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3300 block of Charles Street, Box 707. Company 3 responded with two engines and Truck 331. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

June included apartment, dwelling, and building fire responses. On June 11, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 100 block of Bright Oaks Drive. A gas leak in the kitchen was reported as the source of the fire. Engine 412 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On June 16, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1700 block of Bellvue Drive, Box 1312. Company 3 responded with two engines and an ambulance. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On June 28, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 1500 block of Watervale Road, Box 1304. Company 3 responded with two engines, Truck 331, and the air unit. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On July 21, a thunderstorm generated a significant demand for service, with BAVFC handling 54 calls in 12 hours.

August was one of the busiest months of the year. On August 4, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 800 block of East Wheel Road. Company 3 responded with two engines, and Engine 314 arrived first. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On August 11, Engine 314 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2000 block of Phillips Mill Road, Box 723. D. Houck served as acting officer.

On August 12, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Bel Air and Old Joppa roads. Firefighters used spreaders, and three ambulances responded. D. Woodward served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Sommerville Road. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On August 13, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 22 and Schucks Road. One firefighter sustained hydraulic fluid exposure to the eye during the incident. T. Coliano served as acting officer.

On August 15, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of Bynum Road. One firefighter injured his knee and ankle during the incident. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On August 22, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Crescent Drive and operated for approximately two hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer. That same date, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1500 block of West Jarrettsville Road, Box 703. Company 3 responded with two engines, Truck 331, and an ambulance. S. Cox served as acting officer.

September included brush and apartment fire activity. On September 6, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid brush fire near Abingdon Road and Hookers Mill Road, Box 403. The fire involved approximately five acres. J. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On September 22, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 200 block of Crocker Drive. The fire was reported to have started from a dryer, and damage was estimated at approximately $4,000. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

On October 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of Royal Oak. Damage was estimated at approximately $12,000.

On October 22, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1700 block of Bellvue Drive, Box 1312. Company 3 responded with two engines and an ambulance. One firefighter sustained a burn injury to the ear during the incident. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

November included mutual aid, dwelling, and building fire responses, along with a major member milestone. On November 10, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 100 block of West Wheel Road, Box 411. Company 3 responded with two engines. A firefighter sustained a burn injury to the hand during the incident. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 16, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2800 block of Forge Hill Road involving a trailer. Engine 913 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 19, crews responded to a building fire in the 800 block of Millwood Drive involving a barn. Engine 316 became stuck during the incident, and Engine 1312 also assisted. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 27, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1500 block of Conowingo Road. A 13-year-old sustained minor burns, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. The department also recognized Donald MacLean for answering his 10,000th fire call.

December closed the year with an apartment fire, hay bale fire, and mutual aid dwelling response. On December 6, crews responded to a two-alarm apartment fire in the 2400 block of Rocks Road. The incident involved a large house, and Companies 7 and 9 also assisted. Damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On December 24, BAVFC responded to a hay bale fire near Thomas Run Road and Churchville Road. Crews operated for approximately four hours and used about 10,000 gallons of water. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On December 31, Engine 314 arrived first by approximately two minutes at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 700 block of Old Joppa Road, Box 851. Fire was located in a bedroom. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

The 1983 activity history demonstrates the wide range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, storm response, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. It also marked an important apparatus year with the first run of the 1983 Seagrave Engines 314 and 316.

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