BAVFC 1991 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, New Rescue Pumper, and Member Milestone

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1991 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, apparatus advancement, and member service recognition. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, barn fires, vehicle fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, and multiple mutual aid incidents across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

February brought several working fires. On February 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1400 block of North Fountain Green Road involving a kitchen fire. Company 3 units handled the incident, and damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 7, crews responded to a two-alarm building fire at Bel Air Middle School in the 99 block of Idlewild Street. Fire was located in a closet in the girls’ locker room, and the building sustained a heavy smoke condition throughout. Companies 3, 4, and 13 operated on the scene, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 12, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Conowingo Road involving a garage and automobiles. Company 9 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 18, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a barn in the 200 block of Vale Road. Access to the barn was difficult, and Company 3 units handled the incident. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On February 25, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of Whitaker Mill Road after a chimney fire extended into the walls throughout the living room. Company 13 assisted with one engine. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

March included additional fires and mutual aid activity. On March 19, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 600 block of Evergreen Drive involving a basement fire. Company 3 units handled the incident. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On March 20, crews responded to an auto fire at Bel Air Auto Auction, where three vehicles in a row were burning and additional vehicles sustained damage. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On March 23, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 900 block of Redfield Road. Fire was located in a third-floor apartment. Company 13 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 31, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in Box 135, responding with one engine and a truck. That same date, crews responded to a building fire at the end of Hall Street involving a barn. Company 3 units handled the incident and used approximately 5,000 gallons of water. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

April included a mall fire and a mutual aid dwelling fire. On April 9, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm building fire at Harford Mall involving an electric panel room. Companies 3, 4, 13, and 8 operated on the scene. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On April 13, Engine 315 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 100 block of Creek View Court, Box 728. The incident involved a chimney fire with extension. Companies 7, 3, and 6 operated on the scene. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

May included a trailer fire, a lightning-related building fire, and a major apparatus milestone. On May 2, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire involving a trailer in the 1000 block of MacPhail Road. The trailer was well involved on arrival, and Company 3 units handled the incident. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On May 17, crews responded to a building fire on Foxhall Drive involving a clubhouse that was struck by lightning. Fire was showing from the roof on arrival, with fire in the attic. Company 4 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 29, Rescue 351, a Saulsbury rescue pumper, made its first run on a hazardous materials box. The crew included R. Ensor, D. MacLean, E. Moore, E. Miller, J. Gift, M. Hill, S. McCole, and G. Sentmen.

June brought a working dwelling fire, a serious rescue, and a major member milestone. On June 27, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Old Kalmia Road involving a well-involved attic fire. The incident occurred on a very hot day. Engine 914 also assisted, and crews operated for approximately two hours. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

That same day, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue on Thomas Run Road near Kalmia Road. One fatality was reported in an overturned Jeep Cherokee. A pregnant woman was extricated during the incident, which occurred on a hot afternoon. The department also recognized Dick Woodward for answering his 10,000th fire call.

July included several major fires and mutual aid incidents. On July 7, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of Edgehill Drive involving an attic fire. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 18, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2500 block of Friendship Road, Box 1305. Fire was located in the attic, and Company 3 crews extinguished the attic fire. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 19, BAVFC assisted with a multiple-alarm apartment fire in the 1700 block of Judy Way, Box 826. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. Companies 8, 4, 12E, 3, Battalion Chief 48, Battalion Chief 20, 2, 5, 13, and 7 operated on the scene. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On July 22, crews responded to a two-alarm building fire at Quality Tire in the 1900 block of Bel Air Road. The first floor was heavily damaged, and damage was estimated at approximately $100,000. Companies 13 and 8 also assisted. The fire occurred on a very warm day, and P. Caudill was first on the scene.

On August 7, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 12300 block of Bel Air Road, Box 48-12. Company 3 responded with one engine and a truck to heavy fire conditions. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

September included mutual aid and rescue responses. On September 2, Truck 331 assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 600 block of Yorkshire, Box 826. Companies 8, 4, 3, and 12E operated on the scene. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On September 13, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on the Emmorton Bypass near MacPhail Road. Firefighters removed the driver’s side door. One patient suffered two broken legs and was flown from the scene.

On September 18, Engine 315 responded on a mutual aid dwelling assignment in Box 723.

October included local and mutual aid dwelling fires and a two-alarm commercial fire. On October 1, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2600 block of Gregory Place involving a garage fire. Company 3 units handled the incident, and damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On October 5, Engine 314 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 200 block of Wheel Road, Box 411. The incident involved a fully involved vacant dwelling. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On October 17, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire near Prospect Road and Mill Green Road, Box 615, involving a computer business. The fire occurred during the middle of the night. Company 3 responded with two engines. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On October 19, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Hunters Run Drive involving a bedroom and hallway. The fire was reported to have started from a candle. Company 4 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 31, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 800 block of Winslow Court. Fire was located in a bedroom and was reported to have been started by a child with matches. Damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

November brought multiple mutual aid assignments and a Thanksgiving Day apartment fire. On November 4, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Madonna House near Madonna Road and Route 23, Box 708. Company 3 responded with one engine, the truck, and the air unit, and crews completed significant truck work. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On November 16, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire at Edgewood Middle School in the 2300 block of Willoughby Beach Road, Box 405. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On November 19, Truck 331 responded on a mutual aid dwelling assignment in Box 915.

On November 25, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 2100 block of Old Dixie Lane on Thanksgiving Day. Fire involved the living room and kitchen, and many cats were rescued from the apartment. Company 3 units handled the incident, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several fires. On December 13, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Pennington Road after a chimney fire extended into the walls. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On December 21, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 400 block of Old Joppa Road involving multiple barns on the Pons property. Engine 1311 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $44,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On December 24, crews responded to a barn fire behind Greenridge I. D. Woodward served as acting officer. On December 25, BAVFC returned to the same area for another barn fire. Subjects were caught in connection with the second incident, according to the activity history. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On December 28, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Rutledge Road, Box 1311. The incident involved a large house and was initially dispatched as an automatic alarm. Companies 13, 7, Battalion Chief 47, Battalion Chief 38, 3, and York County 57 operated on the scene.

The 1991 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, school and commercial fire response, and apparatus deployment. It also marked an important year for the company with the first run of Rescue 351 and recognition of Dick Woodward’s 10,000th fire call.

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