BAVFC 2013 Activity History Highlights Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, and Member Milestones

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 2013 activity history reflects another active year of fire, rescue, EMS, mutual aid, and department service. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, woods fires, townhouse fires, and mutual aid incidents across Harford County and surrounding areas.

The year opened with several fire responses in January. On January 15, BAVFC assisted on a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 3700 block of Bay Road, Box 615, where a large storage shed had been converted into a dwelling. Engine 315 responded and crews assisted with extinguishment and overhaul. Company 6, York County Station 57, and Company 3 units operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On January 22, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 600 block of Walters Mill Road after an outside fire spread to the rear of the home. Engine 311 made a quick extinguishment, limiting damage to approximately $1,000. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

Four days later, on January 26, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the McDonald’s in the 1900 block of Emmorton Road. Crews found a small fire in the kitchen area. Companies 3, 4, and 8 operated on the scene, and damage was estimated at $1,000. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On January 30, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid personal injury rescue at Route 152 and Connolly Road involving three vehicles. One patient was reported in serious condition. Rescue 351, Paramedic 391, Paramedic 393, and Ambulance 392 responded from Company 3. M. Johnson served as acting officer.

February included a department milestone when Brian Yeager answered his 5,000th fire call on February 28, marking years of committed service to the department and community.

In March, BAVFC handled another serious crash. On March 14, crews responded to Route 24 and Spenceola Parkway for a personal injury rescue. Firefighters removed a door from one of the vehicles to access patients, and three people were transported to area hospitals. C. Rogers served as acting officer.

April brought multiple fire responses and the arrival of new EMS equipment. On April 7, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid woods fire in the 1300 block of Macton Road, Box 924. The fire involved approximately three acres. Company 3 responded with Brush 341, Brush 342, and Engine 315 and operated with Companies 9, 6, and 1 for about two hours. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

The next day, April 8, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid building fire in the 2500 block of Hess Road, Box 1315. A woods fire had extended into an outbuilding. The Company 3 deputy chief responded and had command for the first 20 minutes. Companies 13, 7, 3, and Chief 47 operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On April 22, Ambulance 395 arrived, adding another resource to support the company’s EMS mission.

On April 24, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 1000 block of East MacPhail Road after a vehicle left the roadway, struck a propane tank, and damaged the home’s electrical meter. Fire from the propane tank ignited the exterior of the house. Crews made a quick knockdown and checked for extension into the home. Damage was estimated at $20,000. Company 4 also assisted with an engine and truck. M. Walker served as acting officer.

In May, Greg Sentman answered his 5,000th fire call on May 31, another significant service milestone for the department.

June included one of the year’s more significant fires, along with the passing of a respected department leader. On June 18, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 200 block of Chestnut Hill Road. The home was fully involved on arrival, and crews operated from the exterior due to fire conditions. Numerous exposures were protected during the incident. Company 3 responded with five engines, the rescue, and the truck. Companies 7, 9, and 6 also operated on the scene. Damage was estimated at $150,000. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

That same date, BAVFC recorded the passing of Past Chief of the Department Richard Davis, Sr., honoring his years of leadership and service to the company.

Mutual aid operations continued through the summer. On July 30, BAVFC assisted at a dwelling fire in the 9 block of Quiet Stream Lane, Box 57-5. Engine 314 and Utility 388 responded to the scene of a well-involved two-alarm fire. Crews operated for approximately two and a half hours, assisting with extinguishment and extensive overhaul. W. Price served as acting officer.

On July 31, crews responded to a building fire at the BGE substation in the 90 block of East Jarrettsville Road. Engine 314 arrived to find heavy fire showing from a transformer structure and requested a full-box response. Company 3, Company 7, and the Hazardous Materials Team operated on the scene. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

August brought additional mutual aid building fires. On August 17, Engine 315 and Utility 388 responded to the 1800 block of Delp Road, Box 603, for a 30-by-50-foot barn that was fully involved. BAVFC crews assisted with extinguishment and overhaul along with Companies 6, 9, York County 57, 7, and 10. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On August 18, Truck 331 and Utility 388 responded to a mutual aid building fire in the 1300 block of Pauls Lane, Box 801. The fire involved an old warehouse with fire inside the bays. The truck crew assisted with overhaul. Companies 8, 12E, 4, 3, Battalion Chief 48, and Battalion Chief 20 operated on the scene. A. Ensor served as acting officer.

In October, BAVFC responded to multiple significant incidents and celebrated another department milestone. On October 12, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid townhouse fire in the 1700 block of Judy Way, Box 826. Fire was reported on the top two floors when Company 8 arrived. Company 3 responded with two engines and assisted with extinguishment and overhaul. Companies 8, 4, 3, 12E, and 13 operated on the scene. B. Snyder served as acting officer.

On October 24, the department took delivery of new Paramedic 391, continuing its investment in emergency medical service capabilities.

On October 30, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 500 block of Main Street in Delta, Pennsylvania. The fire involved a pizza shop and apartments. Company 3 sent two engines to the scene, where the incident reached the equivalent of three alarms and included units from Harford County, York County, and Lancaster County. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On October 31, Bill Snyder answered his 25,000th fire call, an exceptional achievement reflecting decades of dedication and response to the community.

Mutual aid fire activity continued into November and December. On November 24, BAVFC assisted at a townhouse fire in the 400 block of Kentmore Terrace, Box 403. The incident began as a chimney fire with extension into the rear walls. Company 3 responded with an engine and truck and assisted with overhaul. Companies 4, 8, and 3 operated on the scene. E. Hopkins served as acting officer.

December was especially active for working fires. On December 4, BAVFC assisted with a townhouse fire in the 2800 block of Merrideth Court, Box 409. The fire involved the attic, and most of the fire was knocked down before Company 3 units arrived. Company 3 responded with two engines and assisted with overhaul. Companies 4, 3, and 8 operated on the scene. W. Price served as acting officer.

On December 11, crews assisted at a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 4100 block of Madonna Road, Box 707. The fire involved a garage with extension. Engine 315 responded to the scene while Engine 311 transferred to fill in at Company 7. BAVFC crews assisted with interior extinguishment and overhaul. Companies 7, 6, 13, 3, Battalion Chief 47, Company 10, York County 56, and Battalion Chief 60 operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

On December 12, Company 3 responded with three engines and Utility 388 to a mutual aid dwelling fire in the 1800 block of Robinson Mill Road, Box 923. Engine 315 was the fourth engine to arrive at a well-involved dwelling located down a long lane. Crews operated for approximately three hours on a cold night. M. Walker served as acting officer.

The year’s final listed working fire occurred on December 13 in the 1300 block of Grafton Shop Road. Crews found fire in the first-floor ceiling of a large home at the end of a long lane. Firefighters made a quick knockdown, though the fire had reportedly been burning for an extended period before being discovered by the occupant. Damage was estimated at $20,000. Companies 3 and 13 operated on the scene. Ry. Davis served as acting officer.

The 2013 activity history shows the wide range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, from fire suppression and vehicle rescue to EMS response, mutual aid support, and community protection. It also reflects the commitment of members who reached major service milestones and the lasting contributions of department leaders who served before them.

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