BAVFC 1987 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, and Extended Fireground Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1987 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, mutual aid response, and community emergency service. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, brush fires, vehicle fires, hay fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, and multiple mutual aid incidents across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with several fire responses in January. On January 3, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 600 block of Fox Bow Drive involving a garage fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $60,000. Firefighter Struve sustained burns to the face during the incident.

On January 16, crews responded to a building fire in the 1900 block of Emmorton Road involving a vacant structure with a large pile of trash inside.

On January 23, BAVFC handled a small kitchen fire in the 300 block of East Broadway. The fire was traced to baby bottle nipples left on the stove.

February included rescue and apartment fire activity. On February 17, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Carrs Mill Road and the bridge. Airbags were used during the rescue operation.

On February 26, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 200 block of Aster Lane. Fire was located on the second floor of a townhouse, and damage was estimated at approximately $50,000.

March included mutual aid assignments and local working fires. On March 15, Ambulance 361 responded on a mutual aid building fire in Box 1101. The incident was noted as the last time Company 3 responded on Aberdeen Proving Ground property for the next 10 years.

On March 23, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 1800 block of Edgewater Drive, Box 805HR. Company 3 responded with one engine and Truck 331. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 25, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1700 block of Grafton Shop Road. Engine 714 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On March 30, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Golden Graphics in the 1800 block of Churchville Road. Engine 113 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 26, crews responded to a dwelling fire behind the new Amyclae development. The vacant dwelling was fully involved on arrival. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

May included a fatal rescue. On May 17, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Henderson Road and Conowingo Road. One fatality was reported. Crews used a three-ton come-along and spreaders to complete the extrication. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

June included brush fire, rescue, dwelling fire, and building fire responses. On June 8, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid brush fire near Day Road and Castleton Road, Box 923. The fire involved approximately 10 acres. Companies 1, 3, 9, and 6 responded, along with brush units from Port Deposit. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On June 12, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Bernadette Drive. Firefighters used a spreader and ram to extricate a patient. Three patients were involved, and one was flown from the scene. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On June 13, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Eagleview Drive, Box 326. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On June 24, crews responded to a building fire in the 400 block of Whitaker Mill Road involving a 32-by-32-foot structure. Engine 1311 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $37,000. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

July included several building fires. On July 4, crews responded to a building fire behind Bel Air Plaza involving a storage shed. Damage was estimated at approximately $400. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On July 12, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 2400 block of Rocks Road after the structure was struck by lightning. The building was fully involved on arrival. J. Swam served as acting officer.

On July 14, crews responded to a building fire at Edwards Farm in the 200 block of East Jarrettsville Road, where grain was burning in a bin. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

August was one of the year’s busiest months, with major mutual aid, fire, and rescue activity. On August 7, BAVFC assisted with a five-alarm building fire at a sewing factory in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania, Box 56-8A. Company 3 responded with one engine, Truck 331, and the air unit, while Engine 315 filled in at Company 10. Crews operated at the scene for approximately seven hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 8, Truck 331 returned to the sewing factory for a mutual aid rekindle. Crews operated for approximately five hours. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On August 11, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Walls in All in the 20 block of Fulford Avenue. Damage was estimated at approximately $25,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 17, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire on Knopp Road, Box 730. The building was on the ground on arrival, and Company 3 responded with four engines on the two-alarm assignment. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On August 25, crews responded to an auto fire involving a 26-foot recreational vehicle. Damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. That same date, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a vacant barn that was already on the ground in the new Brentwood Park area. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On August 29, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Routes 23 and 24 involving one infant and three adults. One patient was flown from the scene.

On August 30, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Conowingo Road and Kalmia Road. The extrication took approximately 45 minutes. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On August 31, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 1900 block of Emmorton Road at Standard Equipment. Engine 414 also assisted. D. MacLean served as acting officer. Later that day, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue in the 1100 block of Rigdon Road, Box 727, where airbags were needed. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On September 1, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2 block of Overbrook Lane. Most of the fire was out when crews arrived, with fire damage in the kitchen area. Damage was estimated at approximately $5,500. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

November included rescue, hay fire, and dwelling fire responses. On November 7, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Conowingo Road and Johnson Mill Road involving two pickup trucks. Crews completed door removals. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On November 11, crews responded to a hay bale fire in the 1700 block of Grafton Shop Road. Ten bales burned, while 40 were saved. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 23,000 gallons of water.

On November 22, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 3 block of Irish Road after a chimney fire extended into the home. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 23, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1900 block of Churchville Road. Fire was located in a bedroom. Engine 113 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $900. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several rescues and fires. On December 16, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at North Fountain Green Road and Dogwood Lane, where crews completed a door removal.

On December 19, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 900 block of Sablewood. Fire was located in the kitchen. One patient was transported to Shock Trauma for smoke inhalation, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 24, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1900 block of Emmorton Road. Firefighters used cutting, spreading, and dashboard-displacement techniques during the extrication. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 31, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Johnson Mill Road. Fire was located in a bedroom and was reported to have been caused by a child playing with matches. Company 9 assisted with one engine. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

The 1987 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, and major fireground operations. It also reflects the difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions faced by members while serving the community throughout the year.

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