The 2010s

The new decade brought continued change and advancement for the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. With population growth, ongoing development, and increasing call volume, the company moved forward with proactive planning, aggressive equipment upgrades, innovative technology, and a continued commitment to recruiting and retaining dedicated members.

Service Growth and Operational Planning

On January 22, 2010, Chief Bill Snyder arrived at 102 Seevue Court to find six apartment units fully involved in fire. This incident would become the first of three multi-alarm fires in the Hickory Hills development over the next two years.

In February 2010, Chief Bill Snyder and other company personnel compiled a comprehensive review of company operations for the Harford County Fire/EMS Services Study. Although the results were not released until 2011, the study helped begin the process of establishing more consistent countywide operating procedures and ensured that Harford County Fire and EMS services would remain strong and effective in the 21st century.

By 2011, the fire company had begun operating with three paid EMS crews. Chief Bill Snyder oversaw the permanent assignment of one paid crew to the Forest Hill Station, and when the Patterson Mill Station opened, it too would receive a paid EMS crew. With this change, all three stations would provide 24-hour EMS coverage.

Fire Protection Advocacy

In March 2011, the residential sprinkler ordinance was brought before both the Town of Bel Air and Harford County. Spearheaded by Deputy Chief Scott Panowitz, President Anthony Coliano, and Chief Bill Snyder, the effort resulted in the Town of Bel Air requiring sprinklers in all new single-family dwellings.

Major Fires and Significant Incidents

On February 23, 2011, Deputy Chief Panowitz commanded two working fires only hours apart in the Fountain Green area, one of which resulted in a fatality.

On August 27 and 28, 2011, the fire company responded to numerous calls for service during Hurricane Irene. Company units remained busy throughout the night and into the next day.

On May 29, 2012, the fire company responded to a two-alarm fire in the 2400 block of Dixie Lane under the command of Chief Ed Hopkins. Limited water supply significantly hindered firefighting operations.

On June 3, 2012, company units responded to numerous incidents in the Bel Air Road area when an EF-1 tornado touched down. One structure collapse occurred, and a patient required transport to the hospital.

On April 12, 2013, Chief Ed Hopkins commanded a two-alarm fire at 108 Seevue Court. Once again, the fire was well advanced when the first unit arrived.

Patterson Mill Substation

In October 2011, construction began on the new Patterson Mill Substation. This long-term project had been in development for nearly eight years. President Anthony Coliano, Chief Russell Eyre, Chief Bill Snyder, and the entire Building Committee devoted countless hours to planning and designing the facility.

The Emmorton area of the company’s district had seen a rapid rise in call volume. The project itself had roots in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the fire company began evaluating the need for additional stations in the outlying portions of its first-due territory. Growing population, increased commercial development, and heavier traffic were making response from the Hickory Avenue station increasingly difficult.

The fire company began searching for property in both the Emmorton and Fountain Green areas. On January 26, 2007, the company signed two 25-year leases with Harford County for properties near the county facilities complex on Route 543 in Fountain Green and on Patterson Mill Road at Route 924, south of Bel Air. This was a major step toward the company’s goal of adding stations in both areas.

The Patterson Mill project was addressed first, with the Fountain Green station planned to follow. A membership drive was immediately launched in the Patterson Mill area to strengthen the roster of members already living nearby. During 2009 and 2010, there was extensive discussion regarding funding and planning. Finally, in September 2011, Harford County Government agreed to fully fund and build the fire station, with the deed to be transferred to the fire company upon dedication.

Although the county assumed responsibility for construction, the fire company retained final approval over the plans and drawings, much of which had already been developed before the county took over the project. Groundbreaking took place on December 11, 2011. Construction lasted nearly a year, and the dedication ceremony was held on November 10, 2012. Following the dedication, the station was immediately placed in service with an engine, medic unit, and utility vehicle.

Ambulance and EMS Fleet Expansion

In January 2012, the fire company purchased an International 4300 PL Custom Titan ambulance. Designated Ambulance 394, it was delivered in September 2012 and placed into service on October 25, 2012.

In August 2012, the company purchased another International 4300 PL Custom Titan ambulance. Designated Ambulance 395, it was delivered in April 2013 and placed into service on May 7, 2013.

In November 2012, the fire company purchased a third International 4300 PL Custom Titan ambulance. Designated Ambulance 391, it was delivered in October 2013 and placed into service on October 28, 2013.

In May 2013, the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company began housing a fifth ambulance. This unit remained in reserve status, ensuring that the company could maintain four ambulances in service even when one frontline unit was out of service for repairs or maintenance.

In November 2014, the fire company purchased another International 4300 PL Custom Titan ambulance, designated Ambulance 393. At the time of this history, the company was still awaiting delivery.

Command and Utility Vehicles

In May 2011, the fire company purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe for use as a command and utility vehicle. It was placed in service on August 27, 2011.

In October 2012, the company purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe for use as a command and utility vehicle. It entered service on November 27, 2012.

In December 2013, the fire company purchased a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD 4x4 pickup for command and utility use. It was placed in service on February 7, 2014.

In February 2015, the company purchased a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe for use as a command and utility vehicle. It entered service on April 1, 2015.

New Rescue Pumpers

In 2013, a committee was appointed to replace two of the company’s pumpers. After reviewing demonstrators, writing specifications, and requesting bids, the company voted in January 2014 to purchase two Pierce Enforcer pumpers.

These units were equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 13 500-horsepower engines, Hale QMAX-XS 1,500-GPM single-stage pumps, 750-gallon booster tanks, Harrison PTO-driven 20-kilowatt hydraulic generators, Elkhart hydraulically operated valves, RUDD automatic snow and ice chains, and 1,000-GPM pre-piped monitors. Each hose bed carried 1,200 feet of 5-inch hose, 400 feet of 3-inch hose, one 250-foot 2½-inch preconnect, two 200-foot 1¾-inch preconnects, one 250-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, and one 100-foot front bumper trash line.

The pumpers also featured double high-side compartments, hydraulic ladder racks carrying a 35-foot extension ladder, a 14-foot roof ladder, and a 10-foot folding ladder, along with the full standard complement of tools, hooks, extinguishers, smoke ejectors, hand lights, and appliances. Both units were also equipped with an AMKUS 240SS hydraulic rescue tool system and a full complement of rescue tools.

Specialty Utility Vehicle

In February 2014, the fire company purchased a 2014 Polaris Ranger 800 6x6 utility vehicle. This unit became increasingly necessary because of the growing number of calls in remote locations, as well as the need to operate effectively during large community events such as the annual Fourth of July celebration, where crowds could limit access for larger apparatus.

The vehicle was equipped with both a QTAC 85S 85-gallon fire skid and a QTAC 70S RMS skid, allowing it to respond to either fire or EMS incidents. After members completed training, it was placed in service on June 28, 2014.

Forest Hill Large-Capacity Engine

At the May 2015 fire company meeting, a new Pierce pumper was approved for the Forest Hill Station. In 2014, the same committee that had written the specifications for the two 2015 Pierce rescue pumpers was asked to revise those specifications and solicit bids for a large-capacity pumper.

This unit was designed specifically for the Forest Hill Station, which is located within a mile of the Forest Hill Airpark and in a large non-hydranted portion of the company’s first-due area. When the initial proposal was presented in April 2014, there was extensive discussion regarding the size of the apparatus and its ability to access some of the more difficult locations in the northern section of the district. The motion to purchase the unit failed, marking the first time in company history that a request to purchase a piece of apparatus had not been approved.

The committee was directed to revisit the specifications, revise them, and rebid the apparatus. At the May 2015 fire company meeting, the revised proposal was presented, and this time the company approved the purchase of a new Pierce Arrow pumper.

The pumper was equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 13 500-horsepower engine, a Hale QMAX-XS 1,500-GPM single-stage pump, a 1,500-gallon booster tank, and a 150-gallon foam tank with a Pierce Husky 12 foam system. It also featured Elkhart electrically operated valves, RUDD automatic snow and ice chains, a 1,000-GPM pre-piped monitor, and a hose bed carrying 1,200 feet of 5-inch hose, 400 feet of 3-inch hose, one 250-foot 2½-inch preconnect, two 200-foot 1¾-inch preconnects, one 250-foot 1¾-inch preconnect, and one 100-foot front bumper trash line.

Like the other frontline engines, it featured double high-side compartments, a hydraulic ladder rack with a 35-foot extension ladder, a 14-foot roof ladder, and a 10-foot folding ladder, along with the standard NFPA complement of tools and equipment. Unlike previous units, this pumper did not include a generator, as all scene lighting was powered by 12-volt LED systems and battery-operated portable lighting and ventilation equipment.

Looking Ahead

As the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company reached its 125th year of service, it continued to experience increasing call volume, expanding development, and a growing population within its response area. Through modern equipment, professional training, innovative leadership, and a dedicated membership, the company remained focused on delivering the highest quality service to the citizens and community it serves.

The fire company entered the future well equipped, well led, and fully committed to remaining a strong and viable organization for generations to come.