BAVFC 2009 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, and Member Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 2009 activity history reflects a busy year of fire suppression, rescue operations, mutual aid support, equipment improvements, and member service milestones. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, townhouse fires, woods and field fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, and multi-company incidents across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year included an important equipment milestone on January 10, when Utility 388 was placed into service, adding another support resource for department operations.

On January 31, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 1000 block of Heaps Road, Box 610. Crews arrived to find a well-involved equipment garage. Company 3 responded with two engines and operated for approximately three hours. Companies 6, 9, York County 57, Company 3, York County 56, and Company 7 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

February brought several fire and rescue responses. On February 8, crews responded to a townhouse fire in the 400 block of Ellis Lane. The fire began in a bathroom from a beard trimmer and extended into a wall and a small section of the basement ceiling. Company 3 units used pressurized water extinguishers to control the fire, limiting damage to approximately $2,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On February 11, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Chestnut Hill Road. The incident involved a two-story farmhouse with fire on the first floor. Much of the fire had burned itself out before fire department arrival, and Company 3 units handled the incident. Damage was estimated at approximately $50,000. B. Stower served as acting officer.

On February 12, crews handled a woods and shed fire in the 3 block of Linwood Court. Leaves, large trees, and a shed were burning. Two engines and a brush unit operated for approximately two and a half hours. Power lines and wind were listed as contributing factors. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. P. Carlton served as acting officer.

On February 20, BAVFC responded to a field fire in the 2900 block of Rocks Road, where approximately one-third of an acre was burning on a steep incline. Brush 342, Brush 341, Engine 312, and Engine 311 handled the incident. While crews were operating, a mutual aid field fire was reported on St. Clair Bridge Road involving approximately one acre. Company 3 sent Brush 341, Brush 342, and Engine 312 to assist. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On February 25, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 22 and Route 543. Firefighters used hydraulic spreaders and cutters to extricate one occupant from the driver’s area. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

Three days later, on February 28, BAVFC handled another serious rescue on Moores Mill Road near Major’s Choice Drive. Three occupants were inside a vehicle that overturned at high speed. Crews used multiple hydraulic rescue tools and removed the roof to extricate the occupants. All three patients were transported to local trauma centers. J. Krebs served as acting officer.

In March, BAVFC assisted with both woods fire and dwelling fire operations. On March 9, Engine 315 responded to a mutual aid woods fire in the 1800 block of Eden Mill Road, Box 1008. The fire involved approximately 10 acres. Companies 10, 7, York County 56, York County 57, 6, and 3 operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On March 17, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Route 1 and Henderson Road. Firefighters performed a door removal on one vehicle, and the patient was transported to a medical facility. J. Krebs served as acting officer.

Also on March 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1900 block of Steven Drive, Box 826. Company 3 was added with two engines when the box alarm was filled out. A modular trailer was well involved when Company 8 arrived. Engine 315 assisted with overhaul, while Engine 312 filled in at Company 8 and responded to two additional calls. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

April included additional working fires. On April 17, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3700 block of Philadelphia Road, Box 407. The incident was initially dispatched as an automatic alarm and was found to be a kitchen and hallway fire with considerable first-floor damage. Companies 4, 8, 12E, and 3 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On April 22, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 200 block of Red Pump Road. A chimney fire extended into a wall and attic. Company 3 operated with three engines and a truck, assisted by two engines from Company 13. S. Panowitz served as acting officer.

During the summer months, BAVFC continued handling mutual aid fire responses and vehicle rescues. On July 13, crews assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 4000 block of Norrisville Road, Box 708. Company 3 responded with two engines on the working fire dispatch and assisted Company 7 with water supply and overhaul. Crews operated for approximately three hours. P. Carlton served as acting officer.

On July 26, crews responded to a personal injury rescue at Bel Air Road and South Tollgate Road after a T-bone-style collision involving one vehicle underriding another. Firefighters stabilized the side of an SUV and forced a door to access the occupants. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On August 20, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2800 block of Philadelphia Road, Box 407. The dwelling was fully involved and unoccupied on arrival. Company 3 responded with two engines and operated for approximately three and a half hours. Engine 315 pumped from a hydrant. Companies 4, 8, 12E, 3, 2, and 5 operated on the scene. D. Cox served as acting officer.

On August 28, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 2800 block of Rocks Road after a single vehicle overturned. The driver was partially out of the window from the shoulders upward, creating a difficult extrication. Crews lifted the vehicle and folded the roof down to access the patient’s head. The patient was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Trooper 1. R. Eyre served as acting officer.

The fall months brought several significant fires. On October 13, BAVFC responded to a building fire at A Place In Time in the 500 block of Rock Spring Road. Fire in a second-floor room extended after starting in the walls. Crews performed extensive overhaul and operated for approximately three hours. Damage was estimated at approximately $60,000. Company 3 responded with four engines and a truck, with Truck 431 also assisting. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On October 30, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1000 block of Doyle Road, Box 614. Company 3 responded with two engines and a truck. The fire involved the basement with extension, and crews worked in the basement and on the roof. Companies 6, 9, and York County 57 also operated on the scene. B. Stower served as acting officer.

On October 31, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1000 block of Irwins Choice. Fire was showing on the first and second floors on arrival. Company 3 operated with five engines and a truck for approximately three hours. Damage was estimated at approximately $60,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several fire and rescue incidents. On December 9, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 1000 block of Rock Spring Road after a T-bone collision left one occupant trapped. Firefighters completed full driver-side door removals, and four patients were transported to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On December 10, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of Maulsby Avenue. Fire involved the kitchen and attic. Company 3 handled the incident with four engines and a truck, and damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. J. Krebs served as acting officer.

On December 11, Engine 315 arrived first at a mutual aid building fire in the 400 block of Mountain Road, Box 1301, finding a fully involved detached garage. Units from Company 13, Company 3, and Battalion Chief 48 operated for approximately two hours. G. Kadolph served as acting officer.

On December 16, crews responded to a personal injury rescue in the 500 block of Churchville Road after a single vehicle struck a tree. Firefighters used hydraulic spreaders and cutters to remove the entire driver’s side of the vehicle for extrication. M. Walker served as acting officer.

On December 20, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Meadowside Court, Box 707. First-arriving units found a well-involved attached garage. Company 3 responded with two engines on the working fire dispatch and assisted with overhaul. Companies 7, 13, Battalion Chief 47, and Company 3 operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

The year concluded with a member milestone on December 31, when Scott McNutt answered his 5,000th fire call, reflecting years of dedicated service to the department and community.

The 2009 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, and public safety response. It also highlights the continued commitment of BAVFC members to training, readiness, and service throughout the year.

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