The 2000s

The first decade of the 21st century brought continued growth in fire, rescue, EMS, and automatic alarm responses for the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. From 2000 through 2006, fire calls increased by 30 percent and EMS calls rose by 35 percent.

Heavy Rescue Pumper and Truck Company Expansion

In 2000, the fire company appointed a committee to begin evaluating the replacement of the 1990 Spartan Saulsbury Rescue Pumper. After many months of reviewing demonstrators, writing specifications, and requesting bids, the company voted in October 2001 to purchase a Spartan Saulsbury Heavy Rescue Pumper.

The new unit featured a Spartan Gladiator cab and chassis with an E-One/Saulsbury stainless steel body. It was designed as a fully equipped Class A pumper and heavy rescue unit. The apparatus was equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 60 500-horsepower engine, Allison 4000 EVS five-speed transmission, RUDD automatic snow and ice chains, a Hale QMAX single-stage 1,500-GPM pump, a 750-gallon water tank, and an integral 150-gallon foam tank with a Feecon AP-2 around-the-pump foam system.

The hose bed carried 1,200 feet of 5-inch hose, 400 feet of 3-inch hose, two 200-foot 1¾-inch preconnects, and one 100-foot front bumper trash line. A 1,000-GPM pre-piped monitor was mounted above the pump panel. The unit also carried the full NFPA complement of engine company tools, including ladders, axes, hooks, Halligan bars, smoke ejectors, rope, extinguishers, and monitor tips.

Its rescue equipment included a Harrison PTO-driven 10-kilowatt hydraulic generator, a front-mounted 12,000-pound hydraulic winch, a portable 12-volt 5,000-pound winch with side and rear receiver ports, the AMKUS Ultimate HRT system with four reel lines, and seven hydraulic rescue tools. It also carried high- and medium-pressure air bags, along with a wide assortment of specialized rescue, power, and hand tools.

The apparatus was delivered to Bel Air in December 2002. After being placed in service, however, it was found to be overweight due to an engineering error by Saulsbury involving the original single rear axle design. The unit was taken out of service and returned to the factory in October 2003 for remanufacture. The revised work included adding a second rear axle and installing a longer body. The remanufacture was completed in February 2004, and the unit returned to Bel Air. It was placed in service on March 2, 2004, and answered its first alarm that same day for an automobile accident on Churchville Road just east of Bel Air.

In 2000, the fire company also appointed a committee to begin evaluating replacement of the 1988 Spartan LTI aerial tower. After months of review, writing specifications, and requesting bids, the company voted in November 2001 to purchase an American LaFrance Eagle LTI 100-foot aerial tower.

During the purchasing process, however, company officers determined that the volume of calls requiring a second truck company justified an additional purchase rather than a direct replacement. That decision was brought before the membership in January 2003 and approved. Bel Air thus became the first fire company in Harford County to place two truck companies in service.

The chassis was built by American LaFrance and then sent to LTI for installation of the 100-foot aerial tower and custom body. The unit was powered by a Detroit Diesel Series 60 515-horsepower engine and an Allison 4000 EVS five-speed automatic transmission. It featured dual 1,000-GPM monitors, one of them remote-controlled, a pre-piped breathing air system to the platform and turntable, a David Clark intercom system, a Harrison PTO-driven 20-kilowatt hydraulic generator, and 240 feet of ground ladders. It also carried the full NFPA complement of truck company tools. The unit was delivered on November 1, 2002, placed in service on December 2, 2002, and promptly answered its first alarm for an automatic fire alarm at 578 Bel Air Road.

New Station and Facility Improvements

After years of planning and months of construction, the new Hickory Avenue fire station was completed in October 2000. The official dedication ceremony was held on May 6, 2001.

This project had begun in 1996 when the fire company entered its plans into the county system to establish additional fire station coverage along the Route 22 and Route 24 corridors and to renovate or rebuild the Hickory Avenue station. The first step was to address the main station.

In September 1996, the company purchased the adjoining property on Hickory Avenue, which included a small two-story apartment building. That building was used for training exercises until demolition began as part of the construction process. In 1997, a building committee was appointed to oversee the design and construction of the new station. Rather than renovate the existing structure, the company elected to demolish it in phases and replace it with an entirely new firehouse. The design was completed and approved in June 1998, and groundbreaking took place on June 22, 1998.

The Forest Hill station was also renovated during the decade. By 2006, the company found it necessary to improve that facility to provide additional storage, bunk rooms, an exercise area, and improved kitchen facilities. During 2007, the company completed the paperwork, bidding, and contract process. In late 2007, apparatus, offices, equipment, and gear were temporarily relocated to a building owned by Benfield Electric just up the road. Groundbreaking took place in early 2008, and the renovated station was completed and reoccupied in September 2008.

EMS Growth and Supplement Staffing

The company continued modernizing its ambulance fleet throughout the decade.

In April 2002, the fire company purchased two Ford Horton Type III Model 553 ambulances. Ambulances 392 and 393 were delivered in October 2002 and placed in service in November 2002.

In January 2003, Ambulance 393, a 2002 unit, was involved in an accident on January 23 and required major repairs. The company chose to rechassis the vehicle, resulting in a 2003 Ford Horton Type III Model 553 ambulance.

In May 2007, the company purchased two GMC 4500 Horton Type III Model 555 ambulances. Ambulances 391 and 393 were delivered in October 2007 and placed in service in November 2007.

In March 2008, the company purchased an additional GMC 4500 Horton Type III Model 555 ambulance. Ambulance 392 was delivered in August 2008 and placed in service in September 2008.

In January 2000, the company also had to rechassis Ambulance 391 after the 1998 unit was involved in an accident on January 4. The damaged vehicle was rebuilt on a 2001 chassis and returned to service as a 2001 Ford Horton Type III Model 502 ambulance.

In February 2000, following an accident involving the 1995 Chevrolet Blazer EMS support vehicle, a committee was appointed to acquire a replacement. In May 2000, the company approved purchase of a 2000 Ford Excursion to serve as the EMS support vehicle. After delivery and outfitting, it was placed in service on October 26, 2000.

A major operational change came in February 2005, when the fire company began EMS supplement staffing with paid ambulance crew members. This program had been discussed for the previous year as EMS call volume continued to rise. It was designed to help volunteer personnel manage more than 6,000 EMS calls annually.

Auxiliary and Specialty Support

On January 16, 2003, the Auxiliary began exploring replacement of the Auxiliary Support Unit, U371. The Auxiliary Vehicle Committee worked on the project for several years with the goal of creating a support unit that would serve Bel Air and assist other departments across the county. The committee included Chair Susan Eyre, Linda Kadolph, Sharon Price, Ray Belcher, John Petrovic, Rick Ensor, John Eid, and Board Liaisons Joe Price and Charlie Walls.

In September 2005, specifications for the new unit were sent out for bid, and Krammes Kustom Body was selected to build the rehabilitation unit. The contract was approved on October 18, 2007. On January 8, 2009, the company placed the new Auxiliary vehicle, designated Specialty Support Unit 388, into service. Its first responses came on January 10 and 11, when it was used during a structural collapse drill in Edgewood.

In 2005, the fire company also joined other departments in Harford County to establish the Harford County Technical Rescue Team. Under the leadership of Captain Rob Smeltzer, Bel Air assumed responsibility for the collapse rescue sector. The company acquired a trailer and tools for use during collapse incidents. After receiving bids, the company approved purchase of the trailer and equipment in May 2005. The unit was outfitted and placed in service on September 11, 2005. On July 23, 2014, it was sold to the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, which then operated it as the county’s collapse unit.

Command and Utility Vehicles

The fire company acquired several vehicles during the early 2000s for command and utility use. Surplus vehicles obtained from local police departments included a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice, a 1993 Ford Crown Victoria, and a 1994 Chevrolet Caprice.

In May 2003, the company purchased a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria for command and utility use. It was placed in service on August 31, 2003.

In October 2003, the company purchased a 2004 GMC Yukon, which was placed in service on November 10, 2003.

In August 2004, the company purchased a 2005 Chevrolet 2500 4x4 pickup for command and utility use. It entered service on September 15, 2004.

In May 2007, the company purchased a 2007 GMC Yukon, which was placed in service on July 15, 2007.

In June 2007, the company purchased a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 4x4 pickup, which was placed in service on August 1, 2007.

New Pumper Fleet

In 2005, the fire company appointed a committee to replace three of its pumpers. After reviewing demonstrators, writing specifications, and requesting bids, the company voted in April 2006 to purchase three Seagrave Marauder II pumpers from Fire Equipment Supply Company.

The pumpers were equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 60 515-horsepower engines, Hale QMAX 1,500-GPM single-stage pumps, 750-gallon booster tanks, 50-gallon foam tanks, Feecon around-the-pump foam systems, Harrison PTO-driven hydraulic generators, Elkhart hydraulically operated valves, RUDD automatic snow and ice chains, and 1,000-GPM pre-piped monitors above the pump panel.

Each hose bed carried 1,200 feet of 5-inch hose, 400 feet of 3-inch hose, one 150-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, two 200-foot 1¾-inch preconnects, one 250-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, and one 100-foot front bumper trash line. The apparatus also featured double high-side compartments and hydraulic ladder racks carrying a 35-foot extension ladder, a 14-foot roof ladder, and a 10-foot folding ladder. Standard firefighting tools and appliances were also carried.

All three pumpers were also configured to serve as squads and could carry an AMKUS 220-volt hydraulic rescue tool system. The units were delivered in March 2007.

Engine 312 was placed in service on April 5, 2007, and answered its first alarm the next day for smoke in the area on Bel Air South Parkway just south of town. Engine 313 was placed in service on April 10, 2007, and answered its first alarm that same day at 2200 Candice Court for an automatic alarm. Engine 311 was placed in service on June 7, 2007, and answered its first alarm that same day on Melrose Lane for a helicopter standby assisting EMS personnel.

Major Fires and Significant Incidents

On January 31, 2000, Engine 314, with Lieutenant Dave Cox, arrived in the 400 block of Prospect Mill Road to find a large dwelling heavily involved on arrival. Chief Eyre requested a second alarm.

On February 11, 2000, Assistant Chief Joe Rutherford led Bel Air units at a three-alarm mutual aid fire at McDonald’s in Abingdon. Bel Air operated with three engines and a truck at the scene. The fire was well advanced when first-arriving units reached the location.

On March 21, 2000, Engine 314, with Assistant Chief Bill Snyder, arrived in the 700 block of Fairwind Drive to find a well-involved single-family dwelling. The fire had been deliberately set and spread to both adjacent exposures. Two alarms were required to bring it under control.

On December 7, 2000, Engine 314, again with Assistant Chief Bill Snyder, arrived to find a large historic dwelling, known as Medical Hall, on fire. Because of the long, narrow driveway, apparatus navigating to the scene sustained broken mirrors and damaged light bars. The building was quickly extinguished with four handlines by Engine 314’s crew of eight.

On March 23, 2001, Assistant Chief Bill Snyder led Bel Air units at a two-alarm mutual aid fire at Kurtz’s Funeral Home in Jarrettsville. Bel Air responded with three engines and a truck.

On July 27, 2001, Chief Russell Eyre commanded a commercial building fire in the 1500 block of Rock Spring Road. The fire damaged three businesses and the roof over the entire complex. The fire was first reported over the radio by a mutual aid ambulance, with flames already showing through the roof.

On October 30, 2001, Assistant Chief Bill Snyder arrived in the 900 block of Redfield Road for the third arson fire in a week within the same apartment complex. A Molotov cocktail had exploded in a second-floor lobby. Bel Air firefighters removed 18 residents from the building using ground ladders.

On August 24, 2003, a single-engine aircraft crashed in the 2300 block of Rock Spring Road. The pilot was killed on impact, and the crash ignited nearby yards and vegetation behind surrounding homes.

On September 18 and 19, 2003, the remnants of Hurricane Isabel caused severe impacts across the area. In a 30-hour span, Bel Air suppression units handled approximately 100 calls for service.

On May 10, 2004, Deputy Chief Snyder arrived at a working fire in a large garage that had been converted into apartments. Upon arrival, a male victim with severe burns was found lying in the roadway in front of the structure. Fire was showing from both floors, and two alarms were required to bring the incident under control.

On March 3, 2005, Lieutenant Ricky Davis led Tower 331’s crew at a four-alarm church fire on Market Street in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania. On that cold night, Tower 331 operated alongside Stewartstown’s truck company and flowed water to help knock down the bulk of the fire.

On May 5, 2005, Bel Air units arrived at a working townhouse fire in the 1200 block of Athens Court. Firefighter Ferguson, responding from his nearby home, located and removed an unconscious female from the first floor through the rear of the dwelling. The basement fire was quickly extinguished by arriving units.

On June 27, 2005, Lieutenant Dave Cox arrived on Engine 314 to find a well-involved townhome that had already spread into two adjoining units. Deputy Chief Bill Snyder requested a third alarm. Tragically, one child died in the fire and another person suffered serious burns.

One of the saddest days in company history occurred on September 26, 2005. While traveling to Louisiana with his BG&E crew to assist in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, Assistant Chief Wilson “Skip” Strong was killed in a motor vehicle accident. Chief Strong was a role model to many and was widely regarded as a rising leader within the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

On March 8, 2006, the fire company responded to its fourth working fire in 24 hours. In the 700 block of Country Village Drive, Engine 314, with Lieutenant Ricky Davis, arrived just three minutes after dispatch to find a three-story garden apartment with fire showing through the roof. A second alarm was requested almost immediately. An aggressive attack stopped further fire spread. March 2006 proved especially demanding, with 232 fire alerts, seven working structure fires, and numerous large field and woods fires.

On January 18, 2007, the fire company responded with numerous units to a multi-fatality dwelling fire at 3407 Philadelphia Road in Abingdon. Deputy Chief Bill Snyder held command of the incident, which resulted in five fatalities. The fire had gained considerable headway prior to arrival.

Past Chief Millard Purcell

On August 14, 2004, Past Chief Millard Purcell passed away. Chief Purcell had been an active member for 65 years and answered 35,416 alarms during his career. He was honored with a full fire department funeral, and his final procession traveled down Main Street in the 1939 Mack pumper that he had operated for many years.

New Tower Ladder for the Next Decade

In 2007, the fire company appointed a committee to begin evaluating replacement of the 1988 Spartan LTI aerial tower. After extensive research, specifications, and bid review, the company voted in November 2008 to purchase a Spartan Gladiator Crimson 100-foot aerial tower from FESCO Emergency Sales of Elkridge, Maryland.

The unit was equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 60 515-horsepower engine and an Allison 4000 EVS six-speed automatic transmission. It featured dual 1,000-GPM monitors, one remote-controlled, a pre-piped breathing air system to the platform and turntable, a Harrison PTO-driven 20-kilowatt hydraulic generator, and 237 feet of ground ladders. It also carried the full NFPA complement of truck company tools.

Although purchased during the decade, the apparatus was completed and delivered in March 2010. It was placed in service on April 14, 2010, and answered its first alarm on April 28, 2010, for an elevator rescue at 2 South Bond Street in Bel Air.

End of the Decade

By the close of the 2000s, the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company had undergone significant change while remaining in excellent financial condition and under capable, experienced leadership. With expanded facilities, modernized apparatus, enhanced EMS staffing, and a dedicated membership, the company was well prepared to meet the growing demands of the community.