BAVFC 1999 Activity History Highlights Major Fires, Rescues, Hurricane Floyd Response, New Firehouse Progress, and Member Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1999 activity history reflects a very active year of fire suppression, rescue operations, storm response, mutual aid support, department growth, and member service milestones. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to serious motor vehicle collisions, apartment fires, dwelling fires, building fires, field and woods fires, water rescue incidents, and widespread storm-related emergencies.

The year began with a working dwelling fire on January 3 in the 200 block of Plumtree Road. Fire was showing from two sides of the home on arrival, with two rooms and the attic involved. Crews made a strong attack, though an electric line across the road complicated operations until the utility company arrived. Engine 411 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On January 6, BAVFC handled two serious crashes. The first occurred on Route 23 west of Route 24, where a single vehicle left the road and overturned onto its roof. Crews secured the vehicle with a winch and removed the roof before one patient was flown from the scene. Later that day, crews responded to Route 24 and Plumtree Road after a single vehicle struck the concrete base of a new traffic light. The crash involved partial ejection and one fatality. R. Davis served as acting officer for both incidents.

One of the year’s most serious fires occurred on January 10 at an apartment fire in the 1600 block of Denise Drive. Fire was showing from about three-quarters of the attic and half of the third floor on arrival. The incident reached two alarms and resulted in two fatalities, while six occupants were rescued. Companies 3, 13, 4, 7, and 2 operated on the scene. Crews used approximately 10,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $700,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On January 18, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Laurel Brook Road, Box 1308. Company 3 crews extinguished a large amount of fire before the house was allowed to burn due to conditions. Company 3 responded with three engines and operated for approximately six hours with Companies 13, 3, Battalion Chief 48, Battalion Chief 38, and Company 7. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On January 31, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of West MacPhail Road. The incident was dispatched as an automatic alarm, and crews arrived to find an attic fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $6,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

February included several mutual aid and local fire responses. On February 10, Company 3 assisted with a basement fire in the 2900 block of Churchville Road, Box 120. Company 3 responded with two engines, and crews extinguished fire from the rear. R. Davis served as acting officer.

On February 17, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 600 block of South Atwood Road. Fire was located in the kitchen. Crews stretched an apartment line but did not need to use it, and the box alarm was filled. Damage was estimated at approximately $7,500. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On February 22, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid building fire at Conestoga Woods, Box 997, after a minor dust explosion before fire department arrival. Company 3 responded with an engine and truck. Truck 331 flowed approximately 90,000 gallons over four hours. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On February 23, Engine 311 assisted at a mutual aid building fire at Something Unusual Antiques, Box 204. Crews ventilated the roof and extinguished fire on the second floor. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On February 28, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of North Hickory Avenue after a chimney fire extended into walls on three levels of the home. Damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer. The department also recognized Charlie May for answering his 5,000th fire call.

March brought mutual aid fires, storm calls, and several significant incidents. On March 1, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 4500 block of Philadelphia Road at the ARC of Harford. Company 3 responded with a truck and one engine after the box was filled for a fire in an office area. D. Cox served as acting officer.

That same date, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 4200 block of Chapelgate Court, Box 402. Fire was located in the living room. Company 3 responded with one engine and operated with Companies 2, 4, 5, 3, and 8. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On March 9, Engine 313 responded after the box was filled for a dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Level Road, Box 120. Fire involved a bedroom and attic area. Crews operated for about an hour and a half. P. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 12, crews responded to a townhouse fire in the 300 block of Barrister Court. A chimney fire extended into the attic, but crews contained the fire to the attic and the exterior on Side 1. Damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On March 15, heavy, wet snow generated approximately 30 storm-related calls between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. That same day, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 800 block of Peppard Drive, where heavy fire was showing from the first floor, second floor, and garage. Company 13 assisted with one engine, and damage was estimated at approximately $300,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On March 16, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1600 block of Bel Air Road after two pickup trucks collided head-on and one struck a telephone pole. Firefighters used a cutter, spreader, and reciprocating saw. One patient was flown from the scene. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On March 17, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1300 block of Sweetbriar Lane after a chimney fire extended into the attic and master bedroom. Engine 1311 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

April included a major apartment fire and a department milestone. On April 20, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 100 block of Sunshine Court, Box 382. Heavy smoke was showing from much of the attic soffits, with fire from the rear roof on arrival. The incident reached two alarms. Crews used aerial master streams from Trucks 3, 8, and 2, Utility 13, and three deck guns. The attic and third floor were heavily damaged. Firefighters operated for approximately four hours, using about 100,000 gallons of water. Damage was estimated at approximately $300,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer. The department also recognized Dick Woodward for answering his 15,000th fire call.

On May 1, BAVFC recognized Don Williams for answering his 5,000th fire call.

June included lightning-related fires, rescues, and the first use of an important tool. On June 14, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1200 block of Greystone Road, Box 321, after the house was struck by lightning. Fire involved a dryer with extension, and damage was estimated at approximately $7,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On June 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 100 block of Creekview Court, Box 728. The home was about three-quarters involved on arrival. Engines 315 and 311 were the first two units on the scene. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On June 21, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Route 543 near St. Anne’s Drive. Firefighters completed two door removals, and two patients were flown to Shock Trauma by Trooper 1. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On June 28, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 400 block of Franklin Street. Fire was located in the crawl space and walls, and the incident was initially reported as a rescue, though no one was home. The department’s thermal imaging camera was used for the first time and performed well in helping crews locate hidden fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $25,000. R. Davis served as acting officer.

July marked an important department milestone. On July 1, BAVFC moved into half of the new firehouse.

On July 3, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid apartment fire in the 1400 block of Edgewood Road, Box 408. Company 3 responded with two engines after the box was filled and completed overhaul during a very hot night. Crews operated for approximately two and a half hours. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On July 10, crews responded to a motorcycle crash at the Route 1 Bypass and Bynum Road. The patient was found in cardiac arrest on arrival, and crews were able to regain a pulse before the patient was transported in serious condition to Shock Trauma. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On July 15, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid brush fire at Eastern Christian College, Box 413. The fire involved approximately four acres on a warm day. Brush units from Companies 4, 3, 2, 8, and 1 operated, with Company 3 also sending three engines and a brush unit. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On July 17, BAVFC assisted with a three-alarm barn fire in the 4500 block of Norrisville Road, Box 714. Company 3 sent one engine to the scene and one engine for transfer coverage during very hot conditions. S. Bittner served as acting officer. The department also recognized Russell Eyre for answering his 5,000th fire call.

August included mutual aid and lightning-related fire activity. On August 17, Company 3 assisted with a dwelling fire in the 1400 block of Northbend Road, Box 702. Fire involved the rear porch and kitchen, and Company 3 responded with two engines and assisted with overhaul. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On August 21, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of Ponfield Road after a lightning strike. The attic was fully involved on arrival at a newly completed house that had not yet been occupied. Crews used a deck gun to knock down most of the fire and made a strong stop. Damage was estimated at approximately $12,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

September became the busiest month in the fire company’s history at the time, with 364 calls recorded.

On September 16, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 200 block of Maulsby Avenue during storm conditions. Fire was located in the basement, and the incident was considered suspicious. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. R. Davis served as acting officer. That same day, Hurricane Floyd generated an extraordinary response demand. The company was alerted for 466 incidents within 24 hours and counted 215 handled calls, including wires down, water in basements, and numerous flooded roads.

On September 17, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Route 22 in front of K-Bittners. Two occupants were trapped in separate vehicles. One patient was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital by Medic 191, one fatality was reported, and one patient was flown from the scene. Crews used all rescue tools from Rescue 351 and Engine 311. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On September 26, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1500 block of Melrose Lane. One fatality was reported, with one additional patient flown from the scene and one transported to Fallston General Hospital. R. Eyre served as acting officer. The company also recognized Scott Panowitz and Joe Rutherford for each answering their 5,000th fire call.

October included building fire activity, a water rescue, and another member milestone. On October 26, a small building fire occurred at Company 3 House 1 when workers set a small fire at the new building.

On October 31, BAVFC responded to a water rescue at the John Carroll pond after a person was found floating in the water. The department also recognized James Cassidy for answering his 5,000th fire call.

November brought several fires and mutual aid responses. On November 2, crews responded to a building fire at Harford Community College’s Susquehanna Hall. Fire was located in a small office, with heavy smoke conditions. Engine 112 and Truck 231 also assisted, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On November 10, BAVFC responded to a field fire in the 800 block of Fox Bow Drive involving approximately five acres on a steep grade. Companies 3, 13, and 1 worked with forestry personnel, and backfires were set to help control the fire on a warm day. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On November 12, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 2700 block of Baldwin Mill Road, Box 1311. Company 3 responded with three engines and operated for approximately four hours at a barn fire. Companies 13, 7, 3, Battalion Chief 47, Battalion Chief 48, Battalion Chief 38, and York County 57 operated on the scene. S. Strong served as acting officer.

On November 13, Engine 311 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3400 block of Wilson Road, Box 930. The basement fire was mostly out on arrival. Companies 9, 6, 3, and York County 57 operated on the scene. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On November 16, Engine 311 arrived second at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 200 block of Yardley Court, Box 409. The fire started outside and caused heavy damage to the deck and siding, with slight extension into the attic and kitchen. R. Davis served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several dwelling fires and mutual aid incidents. On December 4, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1000 block of South Fountain Green Road. A vacant two-and-a-half-story house was fully involved on arrival. Company 4 assisted with two engines, and crews operated for approximately three hours. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On December 5, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2900 block of Carlyle Court, Box 409. Company 3 responded with an engine and truck, arriving as the second and third units, and crews extinguished fire on the second floor of a townhouse. The fire was listed as arson. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 18, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1800 block of High Plain Drive, Box 1326. Fire was reported on all floors of a split-level home. Company 3 responded with three engines, and Engine 1311 arrived at the same time. Crews operated for approximately two hours. J. Rutherford served as acting officer.

On December 28, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2200 block of Phillips Mill Road, Box 722. Fire was located in a basement living room and was mostly out on arrival. Engines 311 and 714 were the first units on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 29, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Williams Street. Fire was located in the living room, with heat damage throughout the first floor. Crews made a good stop, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. The fire was reported to have started from a candle. R. Eyre served as acting officer. The department also recognized Bill Snyder for answering his 10,000th fire call.

The 1999 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, storm response, water rescue, mutual aid coverage, and public safety support. It also marks a year of historic response volume, major fireground operations, progress on the new firehouse, and important member service milestones.

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