BAVFC 1996 Activity History Highlights Storm Response, Working Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid, and Member Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1996 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, storm response, water rescue, mutual aid support, and community service. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to apartment fires, dwelling fires, building fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, flooding incidents, woods fires, and mutual aid incidents across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year opened with a record storm response on January 19, when BAVFC handled 76 calls in one day. The calls included water in basements, wires down, and other storm-related emergencies. At the time, it was the largest number of calls the company had handled in a single day.

February included several fire responses. On February 8, crews responded to a building fire near Conowingo and Moores Mill roads involving a small fire in the roof area. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 14, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 200 block of Foxhall Drive. Fire was located in a bedroom, and the apartment sustained significant smoke damage. Engine 411 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately two hours, and damage was estimated at approximately $12,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 20, crews handled a trailer fire in the 200 block of Point to Point Road. The fire was small, with damage estimated at approximately $5,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

March was a particularly active month for fires and rescues. On March 1, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 1800 block of Still Pond Way. Fire was showing on the first and second floors on arrival. Company 3 handled the incident with four engines and a truck, and damage was estimated at approximately $80,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

That same day, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 500 block of Millwood Drive. Fire was showing through the roof from the attic area on arrival. Engine 1311 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $35,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On March 8, BAVFC responded to a serious personal injury rescue in the 2300 block of Conowingo Road. The crash involved three priority-three patients, two priority-one patients, and one fatality. Two patients were flown from the scene. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On March 11, crews responded to a dwelling in the 200 block of East Ring Factory Road for an odor of burning. After about three minutes of investigation, fire became visible from an outside wall. The fire was small, but the circumstances of how it started were unusual. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 12, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 700 block of Country Village Drive. Fire involved a furnace closet, ceiling, and the third floor, nearly extending into the roof area. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,200. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On March 19, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 900 block of Schucks Road during heavy rain. One occupant was trapped and later died. Firefighters used a cutter and two rams during the extrication. One additional patient was listed as priority one. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On March 21, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Water’s Meeting House near Thomas Run and Kalmia roads. The building was fully involved on arrival. Crews used approximately 10,000 gallons of water. Company 3 responded with five engines, assisted by one engine from Company 9. Damage was estimated at approximately $150,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On March 26, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1100 block of Stromko Lane, Box 1304. The incident began as a chimney fire with extension into the attic and damage to the living room. Company 3 responded with two engines and the air unit. Engine 312 laid approximately 1,200 feet of five-inch supply line, and crews used about 2,000 gallons of water. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 27, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 400 block of Glascow Road, Box 613. Fire involved the basement and upstairs hallway. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. Company 6 made a strong stop, and crews operated for about two hours. D. Vaughn served as acting officer.

April included fire and woods fire operations. On April 6, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 3100 block of Forge Hill Road, Box 928, involving a vacant dwelling that was fully involved on arrival. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck and operated for about an hour and a half. Crews used approximately 1,500 gallons of water. J. Rutherford served as acting officer.

On April 8, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2300 block of Edwards Lane. Fire was located in a bedroom after an iguana knocked over a heat lamp. Engine 112 also assisted. Crews operated for about two hours, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On April 12, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid woods fire near Rocks Station Road, Box 729. The fire burned from that area toward Grier Nursery Farms Court. Helicopter water drops were used, along with seven brush trucks and multiple forestry units. Brush 341 and Utility 397 responded from Company 3. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On June 9, crews responded to a serious personal injury rescue at Ady Road and Walters Mill Road. Three patients were flown from the scene, and one occupant was pinned. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

July included fires, water rescue, and another member milestone. On July 1, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 2000 block of Gannett Court. Fire started in a basement wall and extended to the attic. Heavy smoke was showing on arrival. Engine 411 arrived first, and damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On July 13, BAVFC responded to a water rescue at Winters Run near Bel Air Road after four children became trapped on a small island during the remnants of Tropical Storm Bertha. Crews used ropes to bring them to safety, with Firefighters Snee and May entering the water. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On July 18, crews responded to a crane fire in the 700 block of Vale Road near a house under construction. The crane had been lowered onto wires, causing a fire. A gasoline tank exploded during the incident, narrowly missing three firefighters. Damage was estimated at approximately $25,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On July 19, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 200 block of Chestnut Hill Road involving a fully involved barn. Engine 313 broke down while en route. Damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer. The department also recognized Mike Lochary for answering his 5,000th fire call.

August included several dwelling fires. On August 14, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of East Jarrettsville Road. While en route, crews were advised of a possible rescue, but no rescue was needed. The front exterior of the home was badly damaged. Damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On August 20, Engine 312 arrived first at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 300 block of West Wheel Road, Box 411, at the old MacLean Mansion. The dwelling was fully involved on arrival, and crews operated for approximately three hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On August 30, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 20 block of Asbury Road, Box 122. The incident was initially dispatched as a building fire with exposure to a dwelling. Engine 312 arrived first and found fire blowing from the attic of the house. Crews held the fire to the attic, though the home sustained heavy smoke damage. D. Cox served as acting officer.

September included building fires, mutual aid response, and transfer coverage. On September 4, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 700 block of North Tollgate Road at the Susquehanna Environmental Center. The incident involved a trailer completely filled with newspaper bales next to other buildings. Crews performed extensive manual work and operated for about two hours. R. Davis served as acting officer.

Also on September 4, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm building fire at Vitali’s Restaurant on Edgewood Road, Box 407. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. Crews performed extensive roof work on a built-up concrete roof during a hot night, operating for approximately four and a half hours. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On September 8, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Larch Drive, Box 836. Fire involved an attached garage and hallway on arrival. Truck 431 and Engine 312 arrived first after Engine 312 was diverted from another box assignment during a strong thunderstorm in the area. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On September 19, Engine 312 transferred to Baltimore County Station 47. While assigned there, the crew responded to one gas leak call with the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

October included a fatal fire and serious rescue. On October 7, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of Chambers Circle. Fire was located in the basement and was listed as arson. The home sustained heavy smoke damage, and total damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On October 16, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3900 block of Love Avenue, Box 405. One fatality was reported, a 15-year-old female. The home was well involved when Company 4 arrived. Company 3 responded with two engines and operated for approximately four hours. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

That same day, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 400 block of Franklin Street. Fire was located in the walls and attic, with damage estimated at approximately $15,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On October 17, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Prospect Mill Road, near the curves past the school. A pickup truck collided head-on with a car and then struck a telephone pole, coming to rest on its side. One fatality was reported inside the truck, and two additional patients were flown from the scene. J. Rutherford served as acting officer.

On November 29, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 300 block of Webster Street involving a detached garage located near several sheds and dwellings. Two additional sheds were damaged. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer. The department also recognized Walt Holloway and Don Wrede for each answering their 5,000th fire call.

The year closed with a tragic crash and an apartment fire. On December 10, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1700 block of Churchville Road after a head-on collision. Four patients were transported to Fallston General Hospital and two to Shock Trauma. A mother and her unborn child died. Another female occupant was trapped, and crews removed the roof to access her. Ambulances from Companies 1, 2, and 3 responded. S. McCole served as acting officer.

On December 15, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 900 block of Hillswood Court. Fire was located in the basement and was mostly out on arrival after neighbors used a garden hose. The fire was reported to have started from a candle, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

The 1996 activity history demonstrates the broad scope of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, storm response, water rescue, mutual aid coverage, and transfer assignments. It also reflects the dedication of members who responded to difficult incidents and 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.