BAVFC 1994 Activity History Highlights Serious Rescues, Working Fires, Mutual Aid Responses, Storm Calls, and Apparatus Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1994 activity history reflects a demanding year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, storm response, and apparatus milestones. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to serious motor vehicle collisions, dwelling fires, building fires, apartment fires, water rescue incidents, storm-related emergencies, and multi-company mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with a series of serious crashes during winter conditions. On January 2, crews responded to a personal injury collision in the 1000 block of West Wheel Road after a Volvo wagon struck a telephone pole. One fatality was reported, and one additional patient was flown from the scene. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On January 3, BAVFC handled two additional serious personal injury crashes on icy roads, one on Melrose Lane and another on Bel Air Road. Two more patients were flown from those incidents.

On January 5, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire on Sharon Road, Box 725. Fire involved the second floor and attic. Company 3 units arrived as the first, second, and fourth engines. R. Davis, Sr. served as acting officer.

January 12 marked the first run for Engine 312. That same date, crews responded to a personal injury rescue involving a BMW wrapped around a telephone pole. Extrication took approximately 20 minutes, and one patient was flown from the scene.

On January 15, crews responded to a building fire at the end of Michelle Court involving a fully involved old barn house during very cold conditions. D. Cox served as acting officer. That same day, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 2000 block of Whitehouse Road, Box 315, where fire involved the kitchen, second floor, and part of the attic. Company 9 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On January 16, Engine 313 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1200 block of Sharon Acres Road, Box 724. Fire involved the kitchen and walls of the home. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

On January 20, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm building fire at Ryan Meat Market on Ryan Road, Box 1306. Icy conditions affected operations. Company 3 responded with three engines, a truck, and the air unit. By the end of January, the company had recorded 198 fire calls for the month.

February included a horse rescue and a serious multi-patient crash. On February 10, crews responded to a horse rescue off Henderson Road. Ground conditions were very icy, and crews used a winch to move the animal up a hill.

On February 27, BAVFC responded to a head-on collision at Emmorton Road and Fairmount Drive. The crash involved six patients, three of whom were flown from the scene. Firefighters used spreaders, cutters, and rams to complete rescues from two separate vehicles.

On March 1, crews responded to a mulch fire at T&M Mulch on North Fountain Green Road. Fire was showing on arrival, and crews used approximately 40,000 gallons of water during snowy conditions.

On March 31, Engine 312 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire on Parliament Drive, Box 409. The fire started outside and extended into two downstairs rooms. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

April included a significant building fire, a vehicle rescue, and a fatal water rescue. On April 1, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 200 block of East Jarrettsville Road involving a large equipment shed. Crews made a strong stop, operating for approximately three and a half hours. Damage was estimated at approximately $175,000. R. Ensor served as acting officer.

On April 20, crews responded to Emmorton Road and West Riding Drive for a personal injury rescue involving an overturned pickup truck with one occupant trapped. R. Ensor served as acting officer.

On April 24, BAVFC responded to Deer Creek near Grier Nursery for a water rescue after a boy became trapped under a tree in the creek. The victim had been removed before crews arrived, and the incident was fatal.

May included several serious incidents. On May 15, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2500 block of Ady Road after a vehicle overturned onto its side with two occupants inside. Three patients were flown from the scene. Firefighters used spreaders, cutters, and a winch, and completed a door removal on another vehicle. P. Caudill served as acting officer.

On May 19, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 4100 block of Norrisville Road, Box 713B, at Miller’s Barn. Company 3 responded with an engine and truck. Truck 331 flowed water for a period of time, and crews assisted with overhaul.

On May 24, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Westwell Lane. Fire involved the kitchen, attic, and dining room, with significant heat damage throughout the home. Company 13 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $55,000. R. Ensor served as acting officer. The company also recognized Richard Presberry for answering his 10,000th fire call.

June brought several major fire and rescue responses in rapid succession. On June 2, BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm mutual aid building fire near Putnam Road and Baldwin Mill Road, Box 706. The incident involved a large work shed. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck, and the truck crew performed extensive roof-opening operations. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On June 18, crews responded to the 2100 block of Kalmia Road after a man was run over by a backhoe. The patient suffered massive trauma and was transported to Fallston General Hospital as a priority-four patient.

That same day, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm building fire in the 200 block of Chestnut Hill Road involving a barn. The second alarm was requested due to very hot weather conditions. Damage was estimated at approximately $100,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

Also on June 18, Company 13 handled a fatal vehicle crash at Route 543 and Gibson Road while filling in for BAVFC. The incident involved an occupant ejected from a vehicle. Medic 492 also handled a pedestrian crash on Maxwell Place involving an infant struck by a vehicle, with the infant flown from the scene while the unit was filling in.

On June 19, BAVFC handled 46 storm-related calls, mostly in the 311 and 301 boxes.

On June 26, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Regent Drive. A mattress fire was reported to have started from a sparkler, and the first knockdown was made with a pressurized water extinguisher. S. Cox served as acting officer. The department also recognized Millard Purcell for answering his 20,000th fire call.

July included fire responses, mutual aid, and another major member milestone. On July 13, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of East Belcrest Drive. Fire was located in the basement, and the home sustained heavy smoke damage. Damage was estimated at approximately $100,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On July 18, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 500 block of West Lane, Box 411. Engine 312 arrived first. No fire was found, but fireworks had exploded in a child’s hand and face, and one patient was flown from the scene. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On July 19, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire at Ace Hardware in the 400 block of Edgewood Road, Box 405. The building was struck by lightning. Company 2 had two engines on the scene, and M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On July 20, Company 3 assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 200 block of Kennard Avenue, Box 405. Company 3 responded with two engines, and the house burned twice that night. M. Gallagher served as acting officer. The department also recognized Donald MacLean for answering his 20,000th fire call.

On August 1, BAVFC provided mutual aid fill-in coverage at Edgewood Station 12.

On August 5, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1400 block of Landis Circle. The incident involved a small bathroom fire caused by a discarded cigarette. Damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On August 30, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Foxborough Drive and Route 543. Firefighters used cutters and spreaders, and one patient was flown from the scene.

September and October included mutual aid fires, a local dwelling fire, and a serious crash. On September 30, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 300 block of Amy Drive, Box 409. Fire involved the basement and caused heavy smoke damage. Company 3 responded with an engine and truck and assisted mostly with ventilation, salvage, and ladder placement. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On October 3, Engine 312 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2700 block of Parallel Path, Box 409. Fire was located in the kitchen. R. Ensor served as acting officer.

November was a busy month for rescues and fires. On November 3, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on the Route 1 Bypass after a car was struck broadside by a truck. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools, including jaws, a ram, and cutters. One patient was flown from the scene. J. Gift served as acting officer.

On November 9, crews responded to a head-on collision in the 600 block of North Tollgate Road. Firefighters used cutters and spreaders, and two patients were flown from the scene. J. Eid was one of the patients flown. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On November 10, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 900 block of Winters Court, Box 352. Fire involved a car in a garage during rainy conditions. Company 13 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On November 12, crews responded to a cardiac arrest on Kalmia Road, Box 317, involving a woman found in burning leaves. The patient was classified as priority four.

On November 13, BAVFC responded to a double-fatal crash on the Bel Air Bypass near Winters Run. A BMW left the roadway and came to rest in trees about 20 feet above ground level. That same day, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 3 block of East MacPhail Road involving a living room fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. S. Cox served as acting officer.

On November 17, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 700 block of Country Village Drive. Fire involved a hallway and closet, with damage estimated at approximately $10,000. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On November 23, new Ambulance 391 made its first run. New Ambulance 392 followed with its first run on December 1.

December closed the year with additional mutual aid and unusual fire activity. On December 10, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 2700 block of Old Joppa Road, Box 801. Company 3 sent one engine to the barn fire and operated for approximately four hours.

On December 17, crews responded to an auto fire at the Forest Hill Recreation Center. A man was found deceased inside the vehicle after extinguishment. D. Vaughn served as acting officer. The department also recognized Rick Ensor for answering his 5,000th fire call.

The 1994 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, storm response, water rescue, mutual aid coverage, and new apparatus deployment. It also reflects the dedication of members who reached major service milestones while continuing to respond to difficult and demanding 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.