BAVFC 1995 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Apparatus Updates, and Member Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1995 activity history reflects an active year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, apparatus updates, and member service milestones. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, apartment fires, brush fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, aircraft incidents, tire fires, and mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began with a significant mutual aid response on January 5, when BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm building fire at A+L Motors in the 400 block of Pulaski Highway, Box 808. Company 3 responded with two engines, and Engine 312 arrived first on Side 3 of the building.

On January 8, Truck 331 transferred to Baltimore County Station 55 to provide mutual aid coverage. Three days later, on January 11, crews responded to a building fire at Tollgate Mall above the new T.J. Maxx. The incident involved a small fire in roofing insulation. Damage was estimated at approximately $3,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

Also on January 11, BAVFC responded to a serious personal injury rescue on Route 22 near Route 543. One occupant was trapped and flown from the scene, while 14 additional patients were transported to area hospitals. Seven ambulances responded to the incident. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On January 22, crews responded to a fatal personal injury collision at Prospect Mill Road and Route 543 after a vehicle struck a telephone pole.

February included two significant fires. On February 12, BAVFC responded to a two-alarm apartment fire in the 800 block of Coconut Court. Crews used approximately 600 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $80,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On February 20, crews responded to a building fire in the 300 block of Patterson Mill Road involving a four-car garage with a significant amount of contents inside. Firefighters used approximately 5,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $125,000. During the response, Engine 311 sustained damage to its tailstep. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

March brought dwelling fires, a fatal crash, brush fire activity, and a rescue-related fire response. On March 2, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of East Jarrettsville Road involving an attached garage. Damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 6, BAVFC responded to a fatal head-on collision in the 600 block of East MacPhail Road. One additional patient was flown from the scene. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On March 20, crews handled a building and brush fire in the 100 block of South Reed Street, where a shed and fences along the property burned. Crews used approximately 750 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,500. Don MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 25, BAVFC responded to a field fire behind the 12 block of Meadow Springs. The fire involved approximately three acres. Companies 3 and 1 operated on the scene and used approximately 2,200 gallons of water. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 28, crews responded to a dwelling fire with rescue in the 1700 block of Harford Road. Fire involved the living room, and an occupant jumped from a bedroom window before crews arrived. Company 3 units arrived four minutes after dispatch, and damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

April included mutual aid brush fire operations and apparatus updates. On April 6, Brush 341 and Utility 363 responded to a mutual aid brush fire on Laurel Brook Road, Box 1305. Crews operated for approximately four hours, using three tanks of water to help control a fire involving approximately seven acres. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

That same date, Ambulance 361 returned from being upgraded. On April 19, the department received a 1995 Chevrolet Blazer to serve as an EMS chase car.

May included mutual aid responses to a building fire and an apartment fire. On May 30, Truck 331 responded to Conestoga Woods after an initial alert for an investigation of a smoke detector sounding. Crews operated for approximately four hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On May 31, BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm apartment fire on Candlewood Drive. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. Six units were affected, and Truck 331 sustained damage to a wheel well during the incident. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

June included a major dwelling fire, an aircraft incident, and mutual aid rescue and fire responses. On June 3, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Country Ridge Circle. The new house had not yet been occupied, and crews found heavy fire on arrival. Firefighters operated for approximately three and a half hours, and damage was estimated at approximately $100,000. Don MacLean served as acting officer.

On June 11, BAVFC responded to the Forest Hill Airpark after an aircraft went down during a thunderstorm. No injuries were reported.

On June 14, Rescue 351 arrived first at a mutual aid personal injury rescue at Route 136 and Schucks Road, Box 413. The incident involved a bank truck and an automobile in a head-on collision. One fatality was reported, one patient was transported to Shock Trauma, and one patient was transported to Fallston General Hospital. Rescue 351 was already handling another call nearby when dispatched. M. Gallagher served as acting officer.

On June 23, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3200 block of Rocks Chrome Hill Road. Company 3 responded with two engines, and Engine 313 arrived first to find the dwelling fully involved. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

July included a lightning-related building fire and a mutual aid response. On July 12, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 100 block of East Broadway involving a garage struck by lightning. The structure was about 50 percent involved on arrival, and damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On July 27, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 1300 block of Grant Court, Box 1223. Company 3 responded with one engine and an ambulance. M. Gallagher served as acting officer. The department also recognized Pam MacLean for answering her 5,000th fire call.

August brought mutual aid fire responses, a serious vehicle rescue, new equipment, and another member milestone. On August 10, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Fallston General Hospital. The fire involved a storage room in the psychiatric ward. Company 3 responded with an engine and truck. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On August 11, crews responded to a serious head-on collision on Route 24 in front of Klein’s. All rescue tools were pulled from Rescue 351 during the operation. Two medevac helicopters were requested, and three patients were transported to Fallston General Hospital. Extrication times ranged from approximately 20 to 30 minutes. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On August 23, a new Ford F-350 truck arrived and was slated to become Brush 342.

On August 24, BAVFC assisted with the Oakington Road tire fire in Box 202. Company 3 initially sent two engines to fill in at Company 2 before one engine was sent to the scene. Another engine responded again on August 25. Also on August 24, Engine 312 responded from the Company 2 tire fire to a three-alarm building fire on Route 222 in Cecil County involving a large old motel. Company 3 operated for approximately four hours and extinguished fire on Side 2. T. Schaech served as acting officer. The department also recognized Bill Snyder for answering his 5,000th fire call.

September included another serious rescue. On September 14, crews responded to the Bel Air Bypass at Winters Run for a crash involving rescues from two vehicles. Two patients were flown from the scene, and four were transported to Fallston General Hospital. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

October included fatal crashes. On October 20, BAVFC responded to a pedestrian collision at Hickory and Harlan streets. One female pedestrian was fatally injured. On October 21, crews responded to a fatal personal injury collision in the 2900 block of Sandy Hook Road after a truck overturned into a field. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

November was a particularly active month. On November 1, crews responded to a rescue in the 2400 block of Conowingo Road after a man was trapped beneath a tractor in a septic hole. The incident was fatal.

On November 9, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 300 block of Silver Spruce Drive involving a two-story garage with a living area. Heavy fire was showing on arrival, and damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 10, BAVFC again assisted at the Mullins Tire fire on Oakington Road. Company 3 operated on and off from 2:04 a.m. until approximately 1 p.m., responding with two engines and the rescue. Rescue 351 flowed foam during the incident. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On November 15, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 1 and Whitaker Mill Road. One person was trapped in each vehicle, and one patient was in traumatic arrest. Firefighters used spreaders and cutters to complete the extrications. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 21, BAVFC responded to a crash on Route 24 north of Dellcrest Drive involving two priority-one patients and one fatality. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 25, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 400 block of Harrington Road. Fire involved the basement with some extension to the first floor. Four animals died in the fire. Crews used approximately 400 gallons of water and operated for about two and a half hours. Damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

That same day, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 924 and Ring Factory Road. Two patients were transported to Fallston General Hospital and two were transported to Shock Trauma. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On November 27, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 800 block of Lancaster Court. Fire involved a bedroom and dining room. Engine 1311 also assisted. One dog died in the fire, which was reported to have started from a cigarette in bed. Damage was estimated at approximately $70,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

The year concluded with a December building fire. On December 8, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 400 block of Cedar Spring Drive involving a detached two-car garage. Engine 411 also assisted. The fire was electrical in nature, and crews operated for about one hour. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

The 1995 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid coverage, aircraft response, brush fire operations, and major incident support. It also reflects the department’s continued investment in equipment and the dedication of members who reached important service milestones throughout the year.

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