The 1990s

The 1990s brought continued growth and change to the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. Population within the first-due area continued to rise, and development expanded at a rapid pace. Fortunately, strong leadership from the previous decade had positioned the company well for this period of growth through aggressive recruitment, member retention, and long-range planning.

Rescue Pumper and Command Vehicle

In April 1988, the fire company appointed a committee to study the replacement of the 1977 Seagrave Pumper/Squad. After extensive research, specification development, and review of bids, the company voted in December 1989 to purchase a Spartan Saulsbury Custom Rescue Pumper.

The unit was a fully equipped Class A pumper and heavy rescue vehicle. It featured a 1,250-GPM pump, a 600-gallon water tank, a 150-gallon integral foam tank, and an around-the-pump foam system. The hose bed carried 1,200 feet of 5-inch hose, one 150-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, and one 200-foot 1¾-inch preconnect. A pre-piped monitor was mounted above the pump panel and could be made portable. The apparatus also carried the full standard complement of engine company equipment, including ladders, axes, hooks, Halligan bars, smoke ejectors, rope, extinguishers, and monitor tips.

In addition to its firefighting equipment, the rescue pumper was outfitted with a Harrison hydraulic 15-kilowatt generator, front and rear 12,000-pound winches, and three AMKUS hydraulic rescue tool power units with preconnected spreaders, cutters, and rams. It also carried high- and medium-pressure air bags, along with a wide assortment of specialized rescue tools, power tools, and hand tools.

The unit was completed in March 1991, arrived in Bel Air on March 28, 1991, and was placed into service on May 29, 1991. It answered its first alarm that same day for a hazardous materials incident on Conowingo Road just north of Bel Air.

In April 1989, the company also appointed a committee to acquire a new command vehicle. The committee recommended a Ford Econoline 150 XLT van, which the company approved and purchased in November 1989. It was placed into service on February 1, 1990.

Ambulance Fleet Expansion and EMS Support

The fire company continued to modernize and expand its ambulance fleet throughout the decade. In April 1990, it purchased two Ford Horton Type III Model 502 ambulances. Ambulance 391 was delivered in September 1990 and placed into service in October, while Ambulance 393 was delivered in November 1990 and entered service in December.

In 1992, Ambulance 393 was involved in an accident on January 15 and required major repairs. Rather than simply repair the damaged chassis, the company decided to rechassis the unit, resulting in a 1992 Ford Horton Type III Model 502 ambulance.

In April 1994, the company purchased two more Ford Horton Type III Model 502 ambulances. Both were delivered in November 1994 and placed into service in December of that year.

In May 1995, another Ford Horton Type III Model 502 ambulance was purchased, delivered in October 1995, and placed into service in November.

In May 1998, the company purchased two additional Ford Horton Type III Model 502 ambulances, with a third unit later ordered to the same specifications. Ambulances 391 and 392 were delivered in August 1998 and entered service in September. Ambulance 393 was ordered in February 1999 using a 1998 chassis to reduce cost. It was delivered in May 1999 and placed into service shortly thereafter.

In February 1995, the company also decided to replace its existing EMS support vehicle with a four-wheel-drive unit capable of carrying the growing amount of medical equipment required in the field. After evaluating several vehicles, the company voted in March 1995 to purchase a Chevrolet Blazer. The vehicle arrived in April, was outfitted by the company, and was placed into service on June 7, 1995. As an EMS support unit, it responded to cardiac arrests and other major medical emergencies and carried advanced medical equipment, including a Thumper device.

In 1996, the company acquired automated external defibrillators, or AEDs. These quickly became an everyday part of the EMS service provided by the fire company. The first recorded AED save in Harford County was made by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company on June 12, 1997.

Major Fires and Significant Incidents

On February 2, 1991, the company was alerted for a building fire at Bel Air Middle School. Upon arrival, heavy smoke conditions were found and a second alarm was requested. Crews advanced handlines into the building and located the fire in a storage room. The fire was quickly extinguished, but extensive smoke removal and cleanup operations continued for several hours.

On April 9, 1991, Bel Air responded to another major incident at the Harford Mall. The first-arriving engine found heavy smoke conditions in several stores and in the rear service hallways. The fire was located in one of the electrical rooms and was traced to a transformer fire. Baltimore Gas and Electric responded, disconnected the power, and the fire was quickly extinguished.

On July 22, 1991, the fire company was alerted for a building fire at the Quality Tire Store on Bel Air Road. Responding units were advised the building was heavily involved. Second Assistant Chief Pete Caudill arrived before any apparatus and transmitted, “Chief 3-2 on location, large working fire, second alarm.” The fire took approximately 30 minutes to bring under control, and crews remained on the scene for several hours performing overhaul and checking for hot spots.

On January 18, 1992, the company responded to an apartment fire with rescue at the Hickory Hills Apartment Complex. Heavy smoke conditions were present on arrival, and the first attack crew encountered a fully involved apartment unit. During fire suppression and rescue operations, the lone occupant was found in the living room, but had died in the fire.

On April 29, 1992, the company was alerted for a building fire at Uncle George’s Restaurant on South Bond Street, a popular gathering place for local teenagers. Upon arrival, the first engine found heavy smoke crossing Bond Street and fire showing from the rear of the building. An aggressive interior attack quickly knocked down the fire.

On March 6, 1993, Bel Air was alerted for a building fire at the Harford County Health Department on Hayes Street. Chief Cox arrived to find heavy smoke showing and requested a second alarm. The interior attack crew located the fire in a rear room and extending into portions of the ceiling. It was quickly extinguished, although crews remained on scene for several hours completing overhaul.

On March 16, 1993, the company responded to a building fire at the Hard Times Café in the Festival at Bel Air shopping center. Response was hampered by deep snow left by the previous day’s blizzard. Upon arrival, heavy smoke conditions were encountered. The initial attack crew located the fire in the kitchen and bar area and brought it under control quickly.

On October 2, 1993, the company handled what would become the largest multiple-casualty incident in both company and county history. The original dispatch was for an auto accident at Route 1 Bypass and Route 24. First-arriving units discovered three buses involved and injured patients spread across the intersection. A total of 41 patients were transported to area hospitals by Bel Air and mutual aid ambulances, while additional mutual aid companies covered vacant stations across the county. Although the scene had the potential to become chaotic, the buses were carrying U.S. Army personnel from Aberdeen Proving Ground, and the drill instructors on board played a key role in maintaining order.

On February 2, 1995, the fire company was alerted for an apartment fire in the Heritage Woods development. Units arrived to find heavy smoke and significant fire showing at the rear of the building, extending from the first floor to the third floor. Several crews made an aggressive interior attack and brought the fire under control in approximately 30 minutes.

On June 22, 1997, after an intense summer thunderstorm passed through the area, the company was alerted for a house struck by lightning. Responding units could see a heavy column of smoke and visible fire while approaching the scene. The structure, a converted barn used as a residence, was heavily involved. The fire escalated to three alarms and the home was completely destroyed.

On October 24, 1998, the company was alerted for an apartment fire with rescue at 108 South Main Street. Upon arrival, heavy smoke conditions were present and evacuating occupants confirmed that someone remained inside. Firefighters Skip Strong, Walt Holloway, and Scott Panowitz located the victim in a rear apartment bathroom. After removing the victim, paramedics treated her on the scene and she was flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. The fire was quickly controlled, and the victim survived.

On January 10, 1999, in the early morning hours, the company responded to an apartment fire on Denise Drive in the Forest Valley development. First-arriving units found heavy smoke and fire on portions of the second floor, all of the third floor, and through the roof. Captain Bill Snyder, riding the first-arriving engine, immediately requested a second alarm. Five victims were rescued from the building, and master streams were used to knock down the bulk of the fire while handlines completed final extinguishment. Sadly, several residents who had not initially been accounted for were later found on the third floor. Firefighters were unable to reach them because of the extent of the fire and the structural collapse.

On April 20, 1999, the company responded to another apartment fire in the Dellcrest development. Units found heavy smoke and fire showing from the third floor and attic. Captain Snyder, again riding the seat of the first-arriving engine, immediately requested a second alarm and an additional truck company. Master streams were used to bring the fire under control, with handlines completing the overhaul process.

New Engine Fleet

In August 1991, a committee was appointed to replace three of the fire company’s pumpers. After extensive research, writing specifications, and reviewing bids, the company voted in November 1992 to purchase three Saulsbury pumpers built on Simon Duplex D-9400 chassis. All three units were delivered to Bel Air on November 11, 1993.

These pumpers were equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 60 450-horsepower engines, Hale 1,500-GPM pumps, 750-gallon booster tanks, 50-gallon foam tanks, Feecon around-the-pump foam systems, Onan 7.5-kilowatt generators, DDEC pressure governors, hydraulic valves, and pre-piped portable monitors. Each hose bed carried 1,200 feet of 5-inch hose, 400 feet of 3-inch hose, two 150-foot 1¾-inch preconnects, one 200-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, one 250-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, and one 100-foot front bumper line. The pumpers also featured double high-side compartments and hydraulic ladder racks carrying a 35-foot extension ladder, a 14-foot roof ladder, and a 10-foot folding ladder. Standard engine company tools and appliances were also carried.

Engine 312 was additionally outfitted with a complete AMKUS hydraulic rescue system. All three units were configured so that rescue tools could be transferred from one engine to another with minimal compartment reconfiguration, allowing the company to maintain a backup rescue unit or handle a second rescue box assignment.

Engine 311 was placed into service on December 23, 1993, and answered its first alarm that same day for a building fire at 6 Colgate Drive. Engine 313 was also placed into service on December 23, 1993, and responded to the same incident for its first alarm. Engine 312 was placed into service in January 1994 and answered its first alarm that same day for an automatic alarm at the Red Fox Restaurant at 29 South Main Street.

In August 1996, another committee was appointed to replace two of the company’s pumpers. After reviewing bids, the company voted in September 1997 to purchase two Spartan Saulsbury pumpers. Both were delivered in June 1998.

These new units were equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 60 500-horsepower engines, Allison 4000 EVS five-speed transmissions, Hale QMAX single-stage 1,500-GPM pumps, 750-gallon booster tanks, 50-gallon foam tanks, Feecon AP-2 around-the-pump foam systems, Harrison PTO-driven 10-kilowatt hydraulic generators, Elkhart electrically operated valves, and 1,000-GPM portable deck guns. Their hose beds carried 1,200 feet of 5-inch hose, 400 feet of 3-inch hose, one 150-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, two 200-foot 1¾-inch preconnects, one 250-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, and one 100-foot front bumper line. They also featured double high-side compartments, hydraulic ladder racks, and the full complement of standard tools and appliances in accordance with NFPA standards.

For part of their service life, these engines were also equipped as squads and carried an AMKUS 220-volt hydraulic rescue system along with a full set of rescue tools and supporting equipment.

Both units were placed into service on July 4, 1998, and both answered their first alarms that same day to the Bel Air Town Center for an automatic alarm.

Brush Unit, Utility Vehicles, and Support Apparatus

In May 1994, the company decided to purchase a second brush unit to be stationed at the Forest Hill Station. A committee evaluated demonstrators, wrote specifications, and requested bids. In April 1995, a Ford F-350 chassis was purchased from Plaza Ford, and the tank and pump unit were ordered from Wajax Pacific. These components arrived in August 1995. Fire company members assembled the unit during 1995 and completed it in 1996.

The brush truck was designed both as a brush unit and as a winch vehicle for rescue work. It was outfitted with a slide-in fiberglass 200-gallon tank, a 200-GPM pump, an electric rewind booster reel with 300 feet of ¾-inch hose, emergency lighting, siren, and air horn. It also carried axes, brush rakes, Indian tanks, and other standard wildland firefighting tools. The unit was placed into service on April 23, 1996, and answered its first alarm that same day for a field and woods fire at 1523 Southview Road near Fountain Green.

In the mid-1990s, the fire company also acquired three 1985 Chevrolet Impalas and two 1988 Chevrolet Caprices from local police departments for use as command and utility vehicles.

In June 1997, the company approved the purchase of a new command/utility vehicle, which was placed into service on July 31, 1997. It later transitioned into a utility and maintenance role after being replaced as a command vehicle.

Organizational Changes

In November 1995, a bylaw was introduced making the Auxiliary an official part of the fire company rather than a separate entity. After discussion, the bylaw passed unanimously. From that point forward, the Auxiliary became an integral division within the company’s organizational structure.

A Record-Setting Day and the Arrival of Y2K

On October 19, 1996, the company experienced its busiest day to that point when a major storm swept through Harford County. Bel Air answered 78 emergency calls in a single day.

At the close of the decade, members gathered at both stations on December 31, 1999, to prepare for the anticipated Y2K issue. In the weeks and months leading up to the new century, company officers had developed contingency plans for any major incidents that might arise. Coordination included local law enforcement and Emergency Operations Center personnel. When midnight arrived and the feared problems failed to materialize, members at both stations breathed a collective sigh of relief.