BAVFC 2006 Activity History Highlights Apartment Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Flooding, and Member Loss

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 2006 activity history reflects a demanding year of fire suppression, rescue operations, mutual aid support, severe weather response, and service to the community. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to apartment fires, dwelling fires, building fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, water rescues, townhouse fires, and multi-company incidents across Bel Air and surrounding areas.

The year began with working fires in January. On January 6, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 400 block of Moores Mill Road. Fire was located in a fourth-floor bedroom, and damage was estimated at approximately $40,000. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On January 16, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Brandywine Place. The incident began as a chimney fire with extension into the home. Firefighters had to remove part of a brick mantle to reach and extinguish the fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. Engine 411 also assisted, and R. Eyre served as acting officer.

February included several mutual aid dwelling fires. On February 26, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 400 block of Winterberry Drive, Box 405. Fire was located on the exterior of the home and was mostly knocked down before Company 3 arrived. Company 3 responded with two engines, operating with Companies 4, 8, 12E, 3, and 2. R. Smeltzer served as acting officer.

On February 28, crews assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Rochelle Drive, Box 1305. Fire was located in an attached garage and was quickly knocked down by Company 13. Engine 311’s crew assisted with overhaul. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

March was especially active for fires and rescues. On March 8, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire on Red Maple Drive, Box 407, involving a 40-by-60-foot shed and a field fire. Company 3 responded with one engine to the scene and had another engine assigned to fill-in coverage. Companies 4, 8, 12E, and 3 operated on the incident. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

That same date, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 700 block of Country Village Drive. Crews arrived to find the attic of an apartment unit well involved. The incident reached two alarms, with Companies 3, 4, 13, Battalion Chief 48, and Company 2 operating on the scene. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On March 9, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid field fire in the 3800 block of Old Federal Hill Road, Box 702. The fire involved a field and pine trees during very windy conditions. Company 7 units stopped the fire before it reached nearby structures. Brush 341 and Engine 311 responded from Company 3. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 16, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Conowingo Road and the north end of Hickory Bypass. A vehicle was found overturned, with a male occupant trapped upside down. Firefighters stabilized the vehicle with cribbing and removed the patient. Two patients were transported to a medical facility. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On March 20, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2500 block of Whitt Road, Box 841. A rear deck and attic were well involved on arrival. Company 3 crews assisted with attic extinguishment and overhaul, responding with three engines and a truck. Companies 8, 13, Battalion Chief 48, and Company 3 operated on the scene. J. Krebs served as acting officer.

On March 22, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid woods fire in the 4700 block of Carea Road, Box 711. The fire involved approximately nine acres. Engine 311 initially filled in at Company 7, responded to a vehicle crash, and then continued to the fire scene. Engine 311 remained on the air for approximately six hours. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

April included a significant building fire. On April 24, crews responded to a building fire in the 2900 block of Old Fields Court involving a furniture workshop next to a dwelling. The workshop was well involved on arrival. Company 3 responded with four engines and two trucks, assisted by two engines from Company 9. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

In May, BAVFC handled another vehicle rescue. On May 9, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Emmorton Road and Bright Oaks Drive. Firefighters forced the driver-side doors to remove the occupant. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

June included several serious incidents, including multiple vehicle rescues and flooding response. On June 4, crews responded to the 1100 block of Rock Spring Road for a three-vehicle collision. Firefighters removed the driver-side doors and roof from one vehicle. Three patients were transported by ground ambulance, and two additional patients were flown from the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On June 13, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2000 block of Emmorton Road after a T-bone-style collision. One female occupant was trapped. Crews removed the driver-side doors and roof to extricate the patient, who was transported by Maryland State Police Aviation Trooper 8. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On June 26 and 27, BAVFC responded to numerous water rescues after approximately 14 inches of rain fell during that period. The heavy rainfall created hazardous conditions across the area, requiring crews to assist residents and motorists affected by flooding.

On July 5, BAVFC assisted with a major incident on northbound Interstate 95 near mile marker 85 after a school bus carrying children overturned. Five occupants were seriously injured, and approximately 30 others were transported to area hospitals. Company 3 had two paramedic units at the scene, and Engine 311 transferred to Company 2 to maintain coverage during the incident.

On July 18, crews responded to a building fire in the 33 block of East Ellendale Street at Corbin. A small attic fire was reported to have started near an exhaust fan. The incident occurred on a hot day, and damage was estimated at approximately $5,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On July 22, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 3200 block of Ady Road. The fire involved the attic of a ranch-style home. Crews made a quick knockdown of the small fire, limiting damage to approximately $5,000. Company 9 assisted with one engine, and Company 6 responded with two engines. G. Kadolph served as acting officer.

Fall brought additional working fires and serious rescue activity. On October 16, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2700 block of Philadelphia Road, Box 407. The incident involved a well-involved, two-story vacant dwelling. Companies 4, 12E, 3, 2, and 5 operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On October 29, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 1300 block of Sommerville Road involving a basement fire in a large ranch-style home. Firefighters Yeager, Alascio, and Becker sustained burns to the face and ears during the incident. Companies 3, 4, 13, and 8 operated on the scene. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On November 7, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Rock Spring Road and Route 23 after a T-bone-style collision. Firefighters removed the roof and door to access the occupant. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

On November 15, the department recorded the passing of Chief Peter Caudill, a loss felt across the company and the community he served.

December was a busy month for fires and rescues. On December 4, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid townhouse fire in the 1400 block of Charlestown Drive, Box 826. Company 3 sent one engine to the scene. Fire was located in the basement and first floor and was well involved when Company 8 arrived. Companies 8, 4, 12E, Battalion Chief 48, and Company 3 operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On December 8, crews assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 300 block of Magnolia Road, Box 806. The fire involved a well-involved L-shaped rancher on a very cold morning. Company 3 responded with two engines and assisted with extinguishment and ventilation. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

Also on December 8, Truck 331 assisted with roof operations at a mutual aid building fire at TIC Gums in the 4600 block of Richlynn Drive, Box 420. Companies 4, 2, 8, 3, and 12A operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On December 15, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Emmorton Bypass and Boulton Street. One person was trapped, one infant was ejected, and another patient was seriously injured. Firefighters used hydraulic spreaders and cutters to extricate the trapped occupant, and two patients were flown from the scene. B. Stower served as acting officer.

On December 26, BAVFC assisted with a two-alarm dwelling fire in the 2800 block of Henley Drive, Box 416. The fire began in the basement and extended to the first floor. Companies 4, 2, 1, 3, 12A, and 5 operated on the scene. Engine 312’s crew assisted with overhaul. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 27, crews assisted with a mutual aid townhouse fire in the 200 block of Kentmore Terrace, Box 403. Fire was located in the basement of a townhouse, with fire showing from the rear and deck area. Engines 814 and 312 were the first two engines on the scene. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

The year ended with a dwelling fire on December 31 in the 400 block of Hemingway Drive. Fire was visible on arrival and located in a second-floor wall. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

The 2006 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, water rescue response, mutual aid coverage, and community protection. It also reflects the dedication of BAVFC members who responded to difficult incidents, severe weather, and challenging fireground conditions throughout the year.

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