BAVFC 2005 Activity History Highlights Major Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Water Rescues, and Department Loss

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 2005 activity history reflects a highly active year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid support, water rescues, and service to the community. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to serious motor vehicle collisions, apartment fires, townhouse fires, dwelling fires, building fires, water rescues, and multi-alarm incidents across Bel Air and surrounding jurisdictions.

The year began with several significant incidents in January. On January 19, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1300 block of North Fountain Green Road after a car struck a school bus. The rear of the car was heavily damaged, and a male passenger was trapped. Firefighters completed the extrication, and the patient was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Trooper 1. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

That same day, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2600 block of Merrick Way, Box 409. Fire was reported in the kitchen and hallway. Company 3 responded with three engines and an ambulance, and the ambulance crew transported one patient for respiratory distress. Companies 4, 3, and 8 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On January 20, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 1400 block of Bonnet Place. Crews arrived to find a second-floor balcony fully involved, with fire extending into the apartment. A kitchen sprinkler helped slow the fire’s spread. Company 3 operated with four engines, two trucks, and two ambulances. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer. The department also recognized Scott Panowitz for answering his 10,000th fire call.

February included a major townhouse fire and additional mutual aid operations. On February 7, Company 3 assisted with a three-alarm townhouse fire in the 1000 block of Lake Front Drive, Box 406. Heavy fire was reported on all three floors on arrival. Company 3 responded with three engines and a truck. Companies 4, 8, 12E, 3, 2, 5, 1, and Battalion Chief 48 operated on the scene. Three Company 3 firefighters were transported for minor injuries after significant falls. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On February 14, Truck 331 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1000 block of Old Pylesville Road, Box 607. The fire involved a large ranch-style home with a well-involved attic on arrival. Companies 6, 10, 7, 3, York County 56, and York County 57 operated on the scene. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

March was especially active, with several major fires and rescues. On March 3, BAVFC assisted at a major building fire at Fawn United Methodist Church on Market Street in Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania. Truck 331 responded on the third alarm, and Engine 312 responded on the fourth alarm. Truck 331 flowed approximately 35,000 gallons from the A-D corner of the structure, while Engine 312 assisted with water shuttle operations. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On March 9, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 800 block of Dora Place. The fire started outside at the rear of the home, burning lawn furniture and the rear corner of the townhouse. Company 3 handled the incident with three engines and a truck, and damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 10, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1600 block of Whitaker Mill Road. A priority-one female patient was pinned in the driver’s seat. Firefighters removed the roof and driver-side door, and the patient was flown by Trooper 1 to Shock Trauma. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 15, Truck 331 responded to a mutual aid building fire in the 11900 block of Jericho Road, Box 48-11, involving a large vacant rubber manufacturing plant. Engine 312 transferred to fill in at Battalion Chief 48. Companies 8, 13, 3 and Battalion Chiefs 48, 38, 20, 55, 8, and 22 operated on the incident. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 16, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 600 block of Wingleaf Court, Box 836. Heavy fire was reported in the attic and rear addition. Company 3 responded with two engines after the box alarm was filled. Companies 8, 4, 12E, 3, and Battalion Chief 48 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 20, BAVFC responded to a townhouse fire in the 500 block of Hanna Way. Fire was showing on the first and second floors and in the cockloft on arrival. The fire was later listed as arson. Company 3 operated with five engines and two trucks for approximately three hours, assisted by Company 4 with one engine for rapid intervention. Damage was estimated at approximately $175,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On March 25, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1700 block of Churchville Road after an overturned caravan left one occupant trapped upside down. Firefighters removed the driver-side door to extricate the patient, who was transported by Trooper 1. B. Snyder served as acting officer. That same day, Truck 331 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1600 block of Kerr Road, Box 603, where a home was well involved on arrival. Companies 6, 9, 3, 1, York County 57, and York County 56 operated on the scene. T. Alascio served as acting officer.

April included several serious incidents. On April 4, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 23 and Conowingo Road with two occupants trapped. Crews removed the roof and driver’s door. One patient was flown from the scene, and another was transported to a medical facility. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On April 9, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1500 block of Ryan Road, Box 1306. The incident involved a basement fire, and Engines 312, 313, and 315 arrived as the second, third, and fourth engines. Companies 13, 3, 7, and Battalion Chief 38 operated on the scene. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On April 15, crews responded to a building fire at Lonestar Steakhouse in the 5 block of Bel Air South Parkway. Fire was located above the ceiling and on the roof. The truck crew extinguished fire while cutting through the roofing material. Company 3 operated with four engines and a truck, assisted by Truck 431, Engine 414, and Engine 813. Damage was estimated at approximately $75,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

Later that day, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 543 and Thomas Run Road. Five patients were involved, with one trapped and two flown from the scene. Firefighters removed the entire passenger side of the vehicle to access two occupants. S. Strong served as acting officer.

May brought a high volume of fire and rescue activity. On May 2, BAVFC responded to a townhouse fire with rescue in the 1200 block of Athens Court. Fire was located in the basement, and the incident was reported with two people trapped. Firefighter Ferguson rescued a semi-conscious female from the first floor, and one patient was flown to a medical facility. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On May 3, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 700 block of Bel Air Road. The driver was pinned, two ambulances responded, and two patients were flown from the scene. D. Cox served as acting officer. That same day, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3900 block of Deer Park Court, Box 162, involving a large single-family home that was well involved on arrival. A 12-year-old male was injured. Company 3 responded with two engines. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On May 6, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid townhouse fire in the 1900 block of Brookside Drive, Box 826. Fire involved the second floor and attic, with fire also extending into the attic of an exposure building. Company 3 responded with two engines. Companies 8, 4, 12E, 3, Battalion Chief 48, and Battalion Chief 20 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On May 7, crews assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3100 block of White Oak Drive, Box 410, after a mulch fire extended into the walls of two units. Most extinguishment was completed by Company 8 crews, with Company 3 providing two engines. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On May 8, BAVFC assisted with two mutual aid fires. The first was a dwelling fire in the 600 block of River Shore Court, Box 405, where fire was located in the attic and walls. Company 3 helped with extinguishment at the rear of the home. R. Eyre served as acting officer. Later, crews assisted at a two-alarm townhome fire in the 1000 block of Waterside Court, Box 826. The fire began in the middle of a group and spread to both exposures during windy conditions. Company 3 responded with two engines, the tower, and the air unit. S. Strong served as acting officer.

On May 9, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Maitland Street and Fulford Avenue after a car was struck broadside. The driver was removed with hydraulic spreaders. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On May 10, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid townhouse fire in Uniontown, Box 403. The fire involved the basement and was knocked down by Company 4. Company 3 responded with two engines, with one crew assisting with overhaul. S. Strong served as acting officer.

On May 27, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Hickory Bypass and Route 543 after a car and school bus collided head-on. One occupant was trapped in the car. Firefighters used cutters to remove the door and roof, and the patient was flown by Trooper 1. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

June included several significant fires and rescue responses. On June 6, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1500 block of Whistler Road involving an attached garage and attic after a lightning strike. The incident was the fifth full-assignment call in the district, with Companies 3, 1, 8, 13, and 9 operating on the scene. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On June 7, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3700 block of Pulaski Highway, Box 401. The fire involved a modular home with exposures. Company 3 sent one engine to the scene and another engine for fill-in coverage. Companies 4, 8, 3, 2, and 5 operated on the incident. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

On June 8, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 700 block of Country Village Drive. Fire was located in a third-floor bathroom and hallway, and two animals were rescued. Company 3 operated with four engines and a truck, assisted by Company 4 with one engine and a truck. Damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On June 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid double rescue in the 2600 block of Creswell Road, Box 413. One patient in traumatic arrest was transported to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, and another priority-one patient was flown by Trooper 1. Engine 312 used O-cutters to help remove the roof, while Rescue 451 performed much of the rescue work. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On June 18, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2500 block of Rocks Road after a car came to rest on its side with one female occupant trapped. Firefighters stabilized the vehicle with cribbing and removed the roof. The patient was transported to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

On June 22, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 1 block of Long Meadow Court, Box 48-03. Fire was well involved in the rear and attic areas. Company 3 responded with one engine and the air unit. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

On June 27, BAVFC responded to a major townhouse fire in the 1800 block of Queen Anne Square. Crews arrived to find the middle unit fully involved with heavy fire extension into both exposures. The incident reached three alarms. One fatality was reported, five civilians were transported to area hospitals, and one firefighter was also transported. Companies 3, 1, 9, 2, 4, 5, 8, and 13 operated on the scene. Damage was estimated at approximately $1 million. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

July included fires, rescues, and a member milestone. On July 3, crews responded to a building fire in the 2500 block of Johnson Mill Road involving a pole barn filled with round hay bales. Firefighters made a good save on the structure and farm equipment. Company 7 assisted with two engines, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On July 5, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue in the 1400 block of Fallston Road, Box 1305. The head-on collision involved one ejection and one severely trapped occupant. Firefighters used spreaders, cutters, and a ram from Rescue 351. Two patients were flown from the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On July 12, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2200 block of Churchville Road after a head-on collision with two occupants trapped. Three patients were flown from the scene by two medevac helicopters. Firefighters used hydraulic spreaders to remove the trapped occupants. M. Walker served as acting officer.

On July 15, crews responded to a building fire at Ruby Tuesday in the 500 block of Bel Air Road. A trash fire at the rear of the building extended into the rear wall up to the roofline. Crews found slight interior damage and a smoke condition. Company 3 handled the incident with four engines and two trucks. Damage was estimated at approximately $7,500. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On July 18, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2800 block of Old Joppa Road, Box 861. Company 3 responded with three engines and assisted with extinguishment of a bathroom fire that also extended into the crawl space. Battalion Chief 48 and Companies 13, 3, 8, and 4 operated on the scene. S. Strong served as acting officer. The department also recognized Bob Kral for answering his 5,000th fire call.

August brought multiple dwelling and apartment fires along with vehicle rescues. On August 8, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 300 block of Montgomery Drive. The rear of the dwelling was fully involved on arrival, with fire on the first floor, second floor, and attic. Companies 3, 13, and 4 operated on the scene. Damage was estimated at approximately $375,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On August 10, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Hickory Bypass and Route 543 after a car was struck broadside. A passenger was in serious condition. Firefighters removed the roof and driver-side door to remove two patients.

On August 11, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue in the 400 block of Thomas Run Road after a single vehicle overturned. Crews stabilized the vehicle, forced both front doors, and removed the driver’s side center post. The patient was flown by Trooper 1. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On August 21, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 900 block of Redfield Road. Fire was located in a third-floor kitchen. Company 3 operated with four engines and two trucks, assisted by Engine 414. Damage was estimated at approximately $3,500. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On August 28, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 400 block of Moores Mill Road. Fire involved the contents of a third-floor apartment room. Company 3 operated with four engines and a truck, with Truck 431, Engine 1311, Rescue 1351, and Engine 314 also on the scene. Damage was estimated at approximately $25,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

September included several significant fires, rescues, and the loss of a department leader. On September 3, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Bernadette Court. A split-level home was approximately 50 percent involved on arrival. Company 13 assisted with an engine and tanker. Damage was estimated at approximately $300,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On September 7, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 1100 block of Old Fallston Road, Box 1305. An outside fire extended into the attic, damaging the B side, second floor, and rear attic area. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. Companies 13, 3, 7, and Battalion Chief 48 operated on the scene. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

On September 9, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 400 block of Main Street in Delta, Pennsylvania, Box 57-1. The dwelling was well involved and the incident reached three alarms. Company 3 sent one engine to the scene and one engine for fill-in coverage at Company 6. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On September 15, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Emmorton Road and Barring Place after a car was struck broadside. The driver was pinned and sustained multiple fractures. Firefighters forced the door with hydraulic spreaders. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On September 16, BAVFC responded to a motorcycle crash at Emmorton Road and Patterson Mill Road. The motorcyclist was in traumatic arrest on arrival and later passed away at the hospital. C. Jacobson served as acting officer.

On September 26, the department recorded the passing of Assistant Chief Strong, a significant loss for the company and its members.

That same date, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Route 543 south of Chestnut Hill Road after a Jeep Wrangler overturned. The driver’s arm was trapped under the roof, and the mother and two infants were flown from the scene. M. Walker served as acting officer.

On September 29, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Emmorton Bypass and Bel Air South Parkway after an SUV was struck broadside. The driver was trapped, and firefighters used hydraulic cutters and spreaders for the extrication. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

October included water rescues and a building fire. On October 8, BAVFC responded to Sandy Hook Road and Walters Mill Road, where one male occupant was rescued from a vehicle stuck in high water. Members from Companies 9 and 6 also assisted. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

Also on October 8, crews responded to Shawnee Lane and Walters Mill Road, where a female occupant was removed from a house surrounded by swollen Deer Creek. A Company 9 boat was used for the rescue. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On October 31, crews responded to a building fire at Festival Spirits in the 5 block of Bel Air South Parkway. Heavy smoke was showing from the storefront on arrival, with fire in the office and cashier areas. Company 3 operated with five engines and two trucks, assisted by one engine each from Companies 4 and 8. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

November included two significant fires. On November 9, BAVFC assisted with a townhouse fire in the 700 block of Sequoia Drive, Box 405. Fire in the basement extended to the first floor and rear decks. Company 3 responded with two engines and the tower after the box was filled, with Engine 312 arriving as the third engine. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On November 16, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Bower Lane involving a very large house under construction. The structure was approximately 90 percent involved on arrival, and the incident reached two alarms. Companies 3, 7, 12, and 9 operated on the scene. Damage was estimated at approximately $500,000. T. Schaech served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several fires and rescues. On December 6, BAVFC responded to a townhouse fire in the 1400 block of Valbrook Court North. Fire was located in the kitchen, with heavy smoke showing from the front door on arrival. Crews held the fire to the kitchen. Company 3 handled the incident with three engines and the tower. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 14, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 100 block of Cinnamon Tree Drive, Box 409. Fire was found in the walls from a pellet stove. Company 3 responded with three engines. R. Smeltzer served as acting officer.

On December 15, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on the Bel Air Bypass near the Route 924 off-ramp. One male patient was in traumatic arrest on arrival. Firefighters removed the roof to access and remove the patient during sleet conditions. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 19, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid double rescue in the 2100 block of Bel Air Road, Box 1302. One patient was in traumatic arrest. Rescue 351’s crew removed the roof and stabilized the vehicles, with Ambulance 391 and Ambulance 392 also operating on the scene. J. Krebs served as acting officer.

On December 28, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Tower Road, Box 415. The two-story farmhouse had fire on the first and second floors, in the attic, and in the walls. Company 3 responded with two engines. Personnel opened the roof and assisted with extinguishment on the second floor and in the attic. Companies 4, 2, 1, 3, 8, and 5 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

The 2005 activity history demonstrates the broad scope of service provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS response, mutual aid coverage, water rescue, and community protection. It also reflects the dedication of members who responded to challenging incidents throughout the year, supported neighboring companies, and continued the company’s longstanding commitment to public safety.

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