BAVFC 2007 Activity History Highlights New Apparatus, Working Fires, Mutual Aid Responses, Storm Operations, and Member Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 2007 activity history reflects a year of fire suppression, rescue response, mutual aid operations, storm-related incidents, apparatus changes, and significant member service milestones. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, apartment fires, woods fires, vehicle rescues, and multi-company incidents while also placing new apparatus in service and honoring members for decades of response.

The year began with an apparatus transition and a major member milestone. On January 22, Engine 313, a 1993 Simon-Duplex/Saulsbury, made its last run with BAVFC. Emergency Vehicle Driver Ron Britton and Deputy Chief Snyder were the last to ride the unit before it was sold on January 24. That same date, Richard Presberry answered his 20,000th fire call, reflecting many years of dedicated service to the department and community.

February included a serious vehicle rescue and another service milestone. On February 19, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Centerville Way and Shakespeare Drive after a T-bone-style collision. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tool spreaders to open the driver’s side of the vehicle. Two ambulances responded to the scene. Lieutenant Walker served as acting officer. That same day, Gary Kadolph answered his 5,000th fire call.

On March 27, Rob Smeltzer answered his 5,000th fire call, marking another important individual milestone within the company.

April brought several woods fires and the first runs for new apparatus. On April 3, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid woods fire at the end of Woodlea Drive, Box 831. The wind-driven fire involved approximately three acres and was difficult for crews to access. Companies 8, 13, 3, 12E, and 2 operated on the scene, with Engine 315 responding from Company 3. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On April 6, new Engine 312, a 2006 Seagrave, made its first run for an investigation of smoke. The crew included Driver R. Britton, Officer Ry. Davis, and firefighters B. Becker, K. Kadolph, J. Price, G. Rohde, B. Ruble, and A. Vancsa.

On April 10, new Engine 313, also a 2006 Seagrave, made its first run for an automatic alarm. The crew included Driver B. Marshall, Officer E. Larson, and firefighters B. Becker, R. Holloway, T. Keenan, B. Miller, and S. Strawbridge.

On April 30, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid woods fire at the end of Penny Lane near Interstate 95. The fire involved approximately three acres, and Brush 342 was first into the scene. Companies 4, 8, 3, and Battalion Chief 48 operated on the incident. B. Snyder served as acting officer. That same date, Ron Britton answered his 10,000th fire call.

May included a significant dwelling fire, a mutual aid tanker truck fire, and the funeral of a longtime department member. On May 5, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of McCormick Street. The home was approximately 50 percent involved on arrival, with fire affecting four rooms. Company 3 units handled the incident, with Engine 1311 assigned as the rapid intervention team. Damage was estimated at approximately $85,000. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

On May 13, Rescue 351 responded on mutual aid to a tanker truck fire near Hanover Bridge and Interstate 95 on Baltimore City Fire Box 95-7. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On May 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1500 block of Schucks Road, Box 414. Company 3 had the first two engines on the scene and found a basement fire. Crews contained the fire to a small area, though the home sustained heavy smoke damage. Damage was estimated at approximately $10,000. Companies 4, 3, 1, and 2 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On May 23, Past Assistant Chief Joseph Gray was laid to rest at Bel Air Memorial Gardens. He was transported by the department’s 1939 Mack. Gray served BAVFC for 49 years as an active member, leaving a lasting legacy of service to the company and community.

June brought another new apparatus milestone and a major building fire. On June 7, new Engine 311, a 2006 Seagrave, made its first run for a helicopter standby. The crew included Driver Bill Wynne, Officer Ricky Davis, and firefighters S. McNutt, M. Selvage, J. Sloan, S. Strawbridge, and A. Vancsa.

On June 28, crews responded to a building fire in the 2600 block of Rocks Road involving a large contractor garage that was well involved on arrival. Firefighters protected nearby exposures while working to control the fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $110,000. Company 3 responded with three engines and a truck, assisted by two engines from Company 7 and one engine from Company 6. B. Stower served as acting officer.

July included severe weather activity, mutual aid fires, and a major member milestone. On July 16, an F-1 tornado struck areas of Boxes 1302, 1305, and 343. BAVFC responded to approximately 15 storm-related calls during the incident.

On July 20, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1700 block of Kate Lane, Box 831. The fire involved the kitchen of a very small house. Company 3 responded as the third engine after the box alarm was filled out. Companies 8, 4, 12E, 13, Battalion Chief 48, and Company 3 operated on the incident. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On July 29, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Main Street in Whiteford. The incident involved a two-story house, reached two alarms, and included one fatality. Company 3 responded with one engine and a truck. S. Panowitz served as acting officer. That same date, Donald MacLean answered his 35,000th fire call, an extraordinary service milestone.

In September, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2800 block of Churchville Road, Box 120. The fire involved the basement. Engine 315 arrived first, with Engine 312 and Truck 332 also responding from Company 3. Companies 1, 3, 9, 2, 12A, and 5 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

October included a significant building fire and another apparatus-related milestone. On October 2, crews assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 2100 block of Bel Air Road, Box 1302. Fire was through the roof on arrival, and multiple ignition areas were reported. Company 3 responded with three engines, the air unit, and an ambulance. The incident expanded to the equivalent of two alarms, with Companies 13, 3, Battalion Chief 48, 8, and 7 operating on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On October 28, new Ambulance 392 made its first run. That same date, Bill Marshall answered his 15,000th fire call, reflecting many years of dedicated response.

December closed the year with multiple structure fires. On December 9, BAVFC responded to an apartment fire in the 800 block of Pecan Court. Fire was located in a second-floor laundry room, and crews made a quick knockdown. Company 3 handled the incident with four engines and a truck. Damage was estimated at approximately $2,500. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 16, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1300 block of Glenville Road, Box 102. Company 3 responded with one engine for rapid intervention team duties. First-arriving Company 1 units found a large, vacant, one-story dwelling well involved. Companies 1, 9, 5, 2, 3, and Chief 6 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 22, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 400 block of Dellcrest Drive. The fire involved an attached garage and was held to the garage area. Damage was estimated at approximately $20,000. The fire was reported to have started from improperly discarded smoking ashes. Company 3 responded with five engines and a truck, with Engine 1311 also assisting. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

On December 28, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 700 block of Selkirk Court. The kitchen was well involved on arrival, with limited extension into the living room and hallway and heat damage throughout the home. Damage was estimated at approximately $80,000. Engine 412 also assisted on the incident. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

The 2007 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, from fire suppression and rescue operations to mutual aid response, storm operations, apparatus deployment, and community protection. It also highlights the dedication of members who reached major response milestones and the continued evolution of the company’s fleet and operational readiness.

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