BAVFC 1992 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, and Major Incident Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1992 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, and major incident operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to serious motor vehicle collisions, apartment fires, dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, and extended mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with a serious rescue on January 10 on Conowingo Road. One fatality was reported.

On January 18, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire with rescue in the 200 block of Crocker Drive. The incident involved a woman who suffered a cardiac event while smoking. Firefighters Snyder and Ey located one fatality inside the apartment. Company 3 units handled the incident, and damage was estimated at approximately $35,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 21, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire on Holly Wreath Court, Box 409. Company 3 units arrived second and third, and Engine 314 and Truck 331 flowed their deck guns. Fire involved the second and third floors and attic. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 24, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 100 block of Donzen Drive. The fire involved the kitchen after a resident attempted to throw a pot of burning grease out a window. One burn victim later died. Company 3 units handled the incident. M. Gallagher served as acting officer. The department also recognized Mike Gallagher for answering his 5,000th fire call.

February included dwelling and building fires. On February 10, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1100 block of Gryst Court, Box 1306. Fire was throughout the two-story dwelling. Crews operated for approximately five hours on a cold night. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 25, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 200 block of Hitching Post Drive involving a basement bedroom. Dg. MacLean knocked down much of the fire with a garden hose before fire crews completed operations. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On February 26, BAVFC responded to a building fire behind Bel Air Plaza on Bel Air Road involving a Goodwill trailer filled with clothing. S. Cox served as acting officer.

April was active for local and mutual aid fires. On April 6, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 10 block of West Ring Factory Road. Fire involved a wall and attic. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

On April 7, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire on Salem Church Road, Box 708, involving a barn. Company 3 responded with one engine and a truck and assisted with overhaul for approximately three hours. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

On April 13, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm barn fire in the 1500 block of Ryan Road, Box 1306. Company 3 responded with two engines, a truck, and the air unit.

On April 15, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm apartment fire in the 1700 block of Eloise Lane, Box 826. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck, and crews extinguished fire on the second floor. R. Ensor served as acting officer.

On April 29, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm building fire at Uncle George’s Restaurant in the 120 block of South Bond Street. Fire involved the hallway, bar room, and attic. Companies 3, 4, 13, 2, 8, and Battalion Chief 48 operated on the scene. S. Cox served as acting officer.

May included several working fires. On May 5, Engine 314 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire on Asbury Road, Box 122. The dwelling was fully involved, and crews faced a significant exposure problem.

On May 10, crews responded to a building fire at Harford Sanitation at the end of Franklin Street. Fire was located in the garage area.

On May 24, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 700 block of South Atwood Road. Fire was located in a rear utility closet. During the incident, a hose line broke the windshield of a police vehicle.

June included multiple apartment, dwelling, building, and rescue responses. On June 7, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 700 block of Country Village Drive. Fire involved a closet and attic and was caused by faulty aluminum wiring. Company 3 units handled the incident, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On June 11, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of Bynum Road. Fire was located in the bathroom, and Company 3 units handled the incident. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 17, crews responded to a building fire in the 1400 block of Deer Creek Church Road involving a barn. Company 9 assisted with two engines. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

On June 20, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 1100 block of Royston Place. Fire was located in the kitchen, and damage was estimated at approximately $8,000. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On June 25, Rescue 351 was specially requested for a mutual aid personal injury rescue at Route 165 and Route 23, where an overturned pickup truck was resting on a person. Crews used high- and low-pressure airbags during the rescue. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 29, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire near Jarrettsville and Morse roads, Box 705. Engine 315 used one tank of water on a barn that was already on the ground. The call was initially dispatched as a Box 381 assignment. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

July brought several fires during very hot conditions. On July 1, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Trout Farm Road, Box 705. Company 3 responded with one engine and a truck during very hot weather. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On July 5, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Fairmount Drive. The home had a well-involved attic fire, and Company 3 units handled the incident during a hot day with extensive overhaul. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 7, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm barn fire on Route 74, Box 57-4. Company 3 sent a truck and the air unit and operated for approximately four hours. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On July 12, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 400 block of Choice Street involving an attic fire. Fire Headquarters advised police to check the area for smoke before alerting the fire department. Company 3 units handled the fire, and damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On July 15, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3800 block of Belmont Drive, Box 700, on a very hot day. Company 3 sent an engine and truck to the scene. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On August 21, BAVFC responded to a major building fire in the 2200 block of Ady Road at a hazardous materials building. The fire caused extensive interior damage, and firefighters had to move buses while wearing self-contained breathing apparatus. Truck 331 was out of service, so Rescue 351 was running in its place. Companies 9 and 2 also operated on the scene, and damage was estimated at approximately $300,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

October included several building and mutual aid fires. On October 12, crews responded to a building fire at Delray and Osborne Parkway involving a fully involved trailer. S. Cox served as acting officer.

That same day, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Bel Air Mini Warehouses in the 700 block of Bel Air Road. Fire involved three storage units and the attic area. Truck 831 also assisted. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On October 17, Engine 315 arrived second at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 400 block of Cherry Hill Road, Box 613. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

November included a major mulch fire and a mutual aid building fire. On November 19, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 4300 block of Norrisville Road, Box 715. The incident involved a barn and reached two alarms. Company 3 personnel assisted with relief operations. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On November 22, BAVFC assisted with a major mulch fire on Mountain Road, Box 831. The incident lasted approximately 24 hours and drew resources from across Harford County and about one-third of Baltimore County. Engine 314 initially filled in at Company 13 with Baltimore County Company 500 from Chestnut Ridge before responding to the scene. Crews operated under difficult conditions, including resting on piles of mulch during the long-duration incident.

December closed the year with an apartment fire and a chimney fire. On December 7, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid apartment fire in the 800 block of Crownwood Court, Box 826. Company 3 responded with one engine. R. Ensor served as acting officer.

On December 10, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 900 block of Prospect Mill Road involving a chimney fire with extension. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

The 1992 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 response, major fire operations, and extended-duration incidents. It also reflects the dedication of members who continued responding to challenging emergencies throughout the year.

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