BAVFC 1989 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, New Ladder Truck, and Extended Fireground Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1989 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, apparatus transition, and extended fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, apartment fires, woods fires, water rescues, serious motor vehicle collisions, and several major mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with mutual aid and local fire activity. On January 7, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 17 block of Rhineforte Drive, Box 122. Fire was located upstairs and was coming from a front window on arrival. Squad 312 left a personal injury collision and arrived first. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On January 9, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 400 block of Patterson Mill Road after a chimney fire extended into the walls. Engine 413 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 25, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Standard Equipment in the 1800 block of Emmorton Road. Fire was located in the basement and was listed as arson. Engine 414 also assisted. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On January 28, crews handled a small dwelling fire in the 600 block of Mapleview Drive. Approximately 200 gallons of water were used, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

February included two fires within minutes of each other and a rescue. On February 3, BAVFC responded to a trailer fire in the 2200 block of Kalmia Road. Crews made a good stop, assisted by Engine 912. T. Harrington served as acting officer. Twelve minutes later, Engine 313 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire near Wheel and Emmorton roads, Box 411, where the structure was fully involved. M. Kulis served as acting officer.

On February 18, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2900 block of Rocks Road after an overturned pickup truck came to rest on a man. Firefighters used airbags and a spreader during the rescue. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 24, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Auburn Court after a chimney fire extended into the home. Engine 1311 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

March brought numerous mutual aid responses. On March 3, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 200 block of Reckord Road, Box 1323. Company 3 responded with an engine, truck, and air unit, operating with Companies 13, 3, 8, 7, Battalion Chief 48, and Battalion Chief 47. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 8, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 2800 block of Glen Elyn Way, Box 1327. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck and operated for approximately four hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 13, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3300 block of Dublin Road, Box 921. Truck 331 and Ambulance 361 operated at the scene. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On March 18, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm barn fire in the 2000 block of Calvary Road, Box 413, during a thunderstorm. Company 3 responded with one engine, operating with Companies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On March 20, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm apartment fire in the 2000 block of Pulaski Highway, Box 826. Company 3 responded with an engine and truck and laid approximately 900 feet of five-inch supply hose. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On March 23, Truck 331 assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 3500 block of Hughes Road, Box 927HR. Crews operated for approximately five hours, flowed a large volume of water, and opened the roof during operations. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 27, Company 3 responded with an engine and truck to a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1300 block of Knopp Road, Box 710. Crews operated for approximately three hours. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

April included mutual aid fires, a water rescue, and a fatal crash. On April 8, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Taylor Road, Box 614. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On April 12, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid woods fire in the 600 block of Cedar Lane, Box 411, responding with one engine and a brush unit. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On April 13, Truck 331 assisted with a mutual aid water rescue at Rocks State Park. One fatality was reported after a person became trapped in rocks underwater. Truck 331 operated for approximately two hours. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On April 28, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1900 block of Churchville Road. Company 3 had three ambulances on the incident, along with Medic 191. One fatality was reported, and crews used spreaders and cutters during the rescue. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

June marked a major apparatus transition for the company. On June 16, the Seagrave Truck 331 made its last run on a dwelling fire.

On June 18, the new 100-foot Spartan-LTI ladder truck made its first run as Truck 331, responding to an automatic alarm at the Bel Air Athletic Club. The crew included M. Ensor, Gallagher, Dn. MacLean, Purcell, D. Woodward, and R. Britton.

On June 24, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 200 block of Bynum Ridge Road. Fire damaged three rooms, but a melted water pipe helped knock down much of the fire before crews completed extinguishment. Two firefighters sustained steam burns to the face. Damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

August included a dwelling fire. On August 6, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Woodbury Way. Fire started in a bedroom and was reported to have been caused by a child with a lighter. Damage was estimated at approximately $35,000. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

September included a serious rescue and a long-duration dwelling fire. On September 4, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1300 block of East MacPhail Road. A Jeep’s roll bar had snapped and pinned the patient to the seat. Firefighters used spreaders, a come-along, and chains during the rescue. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

On September 15, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1200 block of Bel Air Road involving a vacant mansion. Crews operated for approximately five hours and made a good stop. Company 13 assisted with one engine and a tanker. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

October included building fires and a rescue. On October 4, crews responded to a building fire on Daniel Court involving a large shed and shop. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 8, Engine 315 responded on the second alarm to a mutual aid building fire in the 4000 block of Federal Hill Road, Box 702. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On October 29, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 1200 block of Bel Air Road involving a storage trailer. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On October 31, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2200 block of Conowingo Road. Firefighters used a ram, cutter, and spreader, and two ambulances responded. D. MacLean served as acting officer. Later that day, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 2100 block of Conowingo Road involving a garage and attic. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. This was recorded as the first of four fires at that intersection. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

November was one of the year’s busiest months. On November 4, Engine 315 arrived first at a mutual aid building fire involving a vacant trailer in the 2800 block of Sharon Road, Box 725. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On November 9, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue in Box 928. One engine and the squad responded. Crews extricated two priority-four patients who were severely trapped. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 10, crews assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue in the 400 block of Wheel Road, Box 411. Firefighters used all hydraulic rescue tools, along with chains and cribbing. One fatality was reported. Squad 312 and two ambulances responded. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 11, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 2100 block of Conowingo Road involving a barn next to WaWa. Damage was estimated at approximately $150,000. This was recorded as the second fire at that intersection. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On November 16, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1500 block of Rock Spring Road. Fire was located in the walls and floor. Company 7 also assisted. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On November 18, Engine 314 responded on the second alarm to a mutual aid apartment fire in the 3200 block of Old Philadelphia Road, Box 403. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On November 25, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 2100 block of Mark Street involving a garage. Engine 113 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $4,100. D. Winchester served as acting officer.

December closed the year with multiple fires during winter conditions. On December 8, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 800 block of Bel Air Road involving a turkey shed during a six-inch snowfall. Engine 316 sustained damage to its tailstep and front bumper while going up the driveway. Damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On December 12, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 2100 block of Conowingo Road involving a hotel. Crews had difficulty making their way through the building. The fire was listed as arson, and a subject was arrested at the scene. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. This was recorded as the third fire at that intersection. T. Harrington served as acting officer.

On December 19, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Greene Road, Box 1311. Company 3 responded with two engines, a truck, and the air unit. Crews worked in the rear and on the second floor of a large home that sustained heavy fire damage. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 22, Truck 331 assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid building fire near Pine Road and Route 40, Box 828, at The Quill. The incident occurred in very cold conditions. Firefighters Holden and Eid flowed water from Truck 331 for an extended period. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On December 23, BAVFC assisted with another three-alarm mutual aid building fire on Glen Cove Road, Box 915. The building served as both a country store and a residence. Conditions were very cold and icy, and Truck 331 experienced slipping while the bucket was elevated. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

The 1989 activity history demonstrates the broad scope of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, water rescue, mutual aid support, and major incident operations. It also marked an important year of apparatus transition with the final run of the Seagrave Truck 331 and the first run of the new 100-foot Spartan-LTI ladder truck.

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