BAVFC 1985 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, and Major Apartment Fire Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1985 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, brush fire operations, and major incident response. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, barn fires, brush fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, and multiple mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with several structure fires. On January 4, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Ady Road after a chimney fire extended into the attic. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On January 6, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1000 block of Gorsuch Drive, Box 342. Fire involved the basement and walls upstairs, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On January 8, Engine 315 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Morse Road, Box 705. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 9, BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2100 block of Schuster Road, Box 701. Company 3 responded with three engines and Truck 331. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On January 15, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1000 block of Walters Mill Road involving a vacant log cabin. The fire occurred during cold and windy conditions. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On January 16, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Thomas Run Road involving a kitchen fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On January 20, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 5 block of Trenton Lane after a chimney fire extended into the home. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. S. Cox served as acting officer.

February included dwelling, building, and rescue responses. On February 3, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Glenwood Road involving a couch and garage area. Damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. B. Marshall served as acting officer.

On February 9, Squad 312 assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue at Route 152 and Stoneybrook, where crews used spreaders. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

On February 19, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Schucks Road involving the living room and hallway. Damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

On February 21, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Craft Coral in the 20 block of Ellendale Street. The fire started in trash and extended into the building, but remained small. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On February 22, crews responded to a building fire in the 1400 block of Churchville Road involving a shed. The fire was listed as arson, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

March brought brush fires, mutual aid, and rescue activity. On March 2, BAVFC responded to a brush fire in the 26 block of West Belcrest Drive involving approximately three acres. B. Marshall served as acting officer.

On March 3, crews handled a larger brush fire near Thomas Run and Prospect Mill roads. The fire involved approximately 10 acres, with Brush 141 and Brush 441 also assisting. B. Marshall served as acting officer.

On March 11, crews responded to the 700 block of High Plains Drive after a vehicle struck a house. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On March 14, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 2200 block of Gibson Road involving a shed that was on the ground on arrival. D. Struve served as acting officer.

On March 17, Brush 341 and the air unit assisted with a large mutual aid brush fire on Chimney Oak Drive, Box 808. Crews operated for approximately four hours with Companies 8, 4, 13, Battalion Chief 48, Battalion Chief 20, and Company 3. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On March 19, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Carsins Run Road, Box 408. Company 3 responded with two engines. R. Presberry served as acting officer.

On March 31, Squad 312 assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue at Route 1 and Wilgus Road. Crews used cutters and spreaders during the extrication. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

April included dwelling fires and a serious rescue. On April 5, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1200 block of West Jarrettsville Road, Box 723. Company 3 responded with three engines and Truck 331 and operated for approximately two hours with Companies 7, 3, 13, and 9. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On April 10, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Honeysuckle Drive involving a bedroom fire. Occupants suffered smoke inhalation. Damage was estimated at approximately $4,000. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

On April 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2100 block of High Point Road, Box 723. A vacant house was on the ground on arrival. Company 3 responded with two engines. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On April 29, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2500 block of Conowingo Road involving three patients. One patient was flown from the scene. E. Watkins served as acting officer.

May included rescues and building fires. On May 2, BAVFC responded to Whitaker Mill Road for a personal injury rescue involving a car in water. Firefighters used spreaders, and one patient was flown from the scene. S. Cox served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to a building fire in the 2200 block of Ady Road involving a large shed that was fully involved on arrival. Companies 7 and 9 also assisted. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On May 8, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 1600 block of South Fountain Green Road, Box 417, involving a barn. Company 3 responded with one engine. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On May 16, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 1 and Lake Fanny. All rescue tools were used from Squad 312 during the operation. B. Marshall served as acting officer.

On May 18, crews responded to a building fire in the 3100 block of Ward Road involving a barn. Companies 7 and 9 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $80,000. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

June included a two-alarm dwelling fire and a mutual aid response. On June 4, crews responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 31 block of Colonial Road during a very warm night. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. Companies 3, 4, 13, 8, and Battalion Chief 48 operated on the scene, with two ambulances also responding. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On June 18, Engine 316 arrived second after the box was filled for a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 17 block of Woodsyde Drive, Box 120. B. Marshall served as acting officer.

July included several significant fires, including a house explosion. On July 2, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 1300 block of Prospect Mill Road involving a chicken house. Damage was estimated at approximately $8,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On July 11, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2000 block of Ruff’s Mill Road. Companies 7 and 9 also assisted with one engine each, and damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On July 17, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 400 block of Glenwood Road after the house exploded before fire department arrival. Companies 13 and 4 also assisted. S. Cox served as acting officer.

That same date, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Fairmont Road involving a bedroom fire. Engine 413 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

August included mutual aid rescue and a major building fire. On August 16, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue in the 2700 block of Bel Air Road, Box 1302, where spreaders were needed. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On August 31, Engine 314 arrived first at a three-alarm mutual aid building fire at the Gunpowder Pistol Range in the 2200 block of Bel Air Road, Box 1302. Companies 3, 13, 8, Battalion Chief 48, and 7 operated on the scene. S. Cox served as acting officer.

September included mutual aid fire and rescue responses. On September 9, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3100 block of Norrisville Road, Box 701. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On September 29, crews assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue at Route 152 and Carrs Mill Road, where a ram and spreaders were needed. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

October was especially active with rescues, dwelling fires, and mutual aid incidents. On October 12, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Route 543 and Prindle Drive. A barn about a quarter-mile away also burned. Engines 113 and 413 also assisted. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On October 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid rescue at the end of Regal Drive, Box 409. Crews used a Stokes basket and aerial device during the rescue. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On October 29, Company 3 assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Dublin Road, Box 929. Company 3 responded with two engines and Truck 331. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On October 30, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm dwelling fire in Gorsuch Garth, Box 342. Damage was estimated at approximately $300,000. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

On October 31, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 2000 block of Rockwell Street, Box 806HR. Company 3 responded with two engines and Truck 331 and assisted with ventilation and overhaul. J. Swam served as acting officer.

November included apartment, building, and fatal dwelling fire responses. On November 19, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm apartment fire in the 700 block of Country Village Drive, Apartment 1A. Fire was located on the first floor. Companies 7, 1, and 4 also assisted. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On November 21, crews responded to a building fire near Plumtree and Tollgate roads involving a construction trailer. The incident was initially reported as hay bales, and damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On November 24, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid barn fire in the 2300 block of Old Joppa Road, Box 801. One engine responded to the scene, and another engine provided fill-in coverage. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On November 27, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3400 block of North Furnace Road, Box 707. The incident involved a trailer fire, and two fatalities were reported. Company 3 responded with two engines and Truck 331. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

December closed the year with building, rescue, and apartment fire activity. On December 6, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm building fire at Joppa Sanitation in the 1300 block of Pulaski Highway, Box 804. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331 and operated for approximately three hours. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

On December 7, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at the Bel Air Bypass and Tollgate Road. Firefighters used spreaders, and one patient was flown from the scene. S. Cox served as acting officer. That same date, crews responded to another personal injury rescue at Route 1 and Connolly Road. B. Marshall served as acting officer.

On December 20, BAVFC responded to a three-alarm apartment fire in the 1100 block of Royston Place. Crews operated for approximately five hours with Companies 1, 2, 3, and 4. Damage was estimated at approximately $175,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

The 1985 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, brush fire response, mutual aid coverage, and major fireground operations. It also reflects the difficult and varied conditions faced by members while serving the community throughout the year.

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