This Could Be YOU!
We are actively recruiting for trained and untrained volunteer firefighters. You can learn more about our company and who we are by visiting one our three stations in person or by visiting the membership section of our website; www.bavfc.org/join.
BAVFC assisted by members of the Fallston VFAC load the patient from an accident on Rt 1 in Benson into Trooper 1 early this morning.
Photo by John Gallagher
8/4; 210p: BAVFC and @abingdonfire responded to Rt 24 and Ring Factory Rd for this motor vehicle collision with entrapment. One person was extricated and airlifted by MSP aviation to a regional trauma center. Crews cleared the scene within an hour. RG
Video: Aaron Bellmyer, BAVFC
Photos: John Gallagher, Nick McGowan BAVFC
BAVFC Hose Line Advancement Training
4/27: Several hours were well spent at the BAVFC training access in Forest Hill this am. Approx 25 members worked on refining and learning hose line advancement and forcible entry skills. Many thanks to Harford County Department of Emergency Services director Eddie Hopkins for his assistance in helping Sgt Rob Parsons set up another excellent drill. #teamwork RG
Video: Gus Everhardt, LT BAVFC
10/16, 8pm: BAVFC crews operate at the scene of this auto fire on Tollgate Rd near Scosto Rd. No injuries. RG
Video: Nick McGowan, Jr. FF BAVFC
Auto Fire Rock Spring
10/8: BAVFC crews work this auto fire in the 1500blk of Rocks Spring Rd. The cause...squirrels made a home in the engine compartment. RG
Video: Mark Ensor, BAVFC
Active Assailant Drill July 2018
This early Sunday morning the BAVFC participated in an active assailant drill with the Bel Air Police Department, Harford County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police and Upper Chesapeake Medical Center The drill was held at the Bel Air High School. A total of 17 victims were treated and transported off the site within 30 minutes. Much was learned from this training and we will incorporate those lessons learned into our planning. We will continue to train for these events to make ourselves better and ensure the best care and response possible to those we are called upon to help. RG
Puppy Rescue
6/23: Firefighters also do more than rescue cats from trees they also rescue puppy dogs with their head stuck in a broken glass jar, just like this little girl.
She was brought in by Bel Air Police Department Officer Keith Smithson along with her owner Kerry Lee. Immediately Keith, Lt Scott McNutt, FF Brett Godwin, FF Brian Winchester and Paramedic Corinne Womer-McNutt put their heads together and went to work to help free Deliah.
Not your ordinary Saturday afternoon but one for the story books. RG
Photo/Video Courtesy: Corinne Womer-McNutt, Paramedic BAVFC
5/21, 1230; 600blk W. Ring Factory Rd: crews quickly contained this auto fire and contained the fuel vapors with a blanket of foam. The cause is under investigation by the fire marshals office. RG
Photos Courtesy: John Gallagher, BAVFC
House Fire Helmet Video
This is a video from the assigned helmet cam of Sgt. Kevin Kadolph of the BAVFC. He was operating as part of an interior crew working a recent house fire just outside Bel Air. This is Kevin's perspective as he works to assist other firefighters. RG
Video Courtesy: BAVFC
Wind Storm March 2018
Here is an example of what the BAVFC was responding for during this past weekend's wind storm. This was in the Glenwood development. The total numbers of calls the BAVFC handled will be released once everything is calculated....oh and there is another storm coming. RG
Video Courtesy: Joel Carr, Captain BAVFC
BAVFC Helmet Cam Video
A few minutes cut from a helmet cam from a recent house fire in Bel Air in December 2017. RG
Video: Kevin Kadolph, Sgt BAVFC
The Harvey Donation Pickup
Hurricane Harvey Donation Followup 5pm Wednesday Aug 30
Donation Drive For Harvey
BAVFC Rapid Intervention Team Drill
This recent Tuesday nights drill was held at the recently acquired training/admin complex next to the Forest Hill station. This location gives us a wide variety of options for training scenarios. This night's drill topic was on the RIT or the rapid intervention team. The RIT is a predesignated dedicated crew of firefighters whose sole responsibility on the fire-ground is to be prepared to deploy in the event of a firefighter MAYDAY situation. This crew assembles all the needed tools and equipment as they arrive on scene, hopefully never to have to be activated.
In this RIT training scenario the crews were tasked to locate the "downed" firefighter in zero visibility (fog machine) and extract him/her to the outside safely where EMS would take over treatment. This video shows what a firefighter sees through a thermal imaging camera as his/her crew navigates to the down firefighter. This handheld tool is carried by the firefighter or officer of each interior crew as they navigate through the interior of a structure. It is the eyes for the crew when the firefighters cant see for themselves. The firefighter/officer operating the camera is responsible for calling out to the crew what he/she sees and how to safely navigate to the objective. The thermal camera greatly assists in leading the crew to trapped persons, the seat of the fire as well safely around any hazards that may exist they couldn't normally see. The camera works by reading the heat signatures given off by the objects in the area. The firefighter/officer can read how the interior conditions are by the temp guide you see on the right side.
While the technology improves year over year the cost remains high. Depending on the brand and capabilities of the camera the prices can range from $5,000 to an avg of $10,000 up to $20K per device. They operate off of special batteries and have to be charged after their use both of which adds another layer of cost to the tool. RG
Video Courtesy: Aaron Bellmyer, Capt BAV
Did You Know? - Fuel
It takes alot of fuel to respond to just under 10,000 fire/EMS calls in 2016. Check out our video to learn a more about our fuel use. RG
Photography/Production: John Gallagher, BAVFC
Whiteford Road House Fire Helmet Cam
This is off the helmet cam of BAVFC Lieutenant Will Price during a mutual box house fire in Dublin, MD on 3/31/17. It has been edited down for length. RG
Did You Know? - Membership
3/18: Our newest video in the "Did You Know" series is two parts. Today is part 1 and is all about the simple process to become a member of the BAVFC. It's actually very simple.... RG
Photography and Production: John Gallagher, BAVFC
Wakley Terrace House Fire
3/15: Here we have a video from BAVFC Lt. Joel Carr's assigned helmet cam. This is his perspective as he worked the Wakely Terrace house fire that occurred on 3/12. RG
Did You Know? - Fire Hose
Made of nylon, polyester and rubber fire hose is a very expensive, but must have tool on the fire engine. Even with the best care fire hose will wear out and will need to be replaced, sometimes when we least expect it. Knowing this the BAVFC must plan and save for this capital item expense. RG
Photography and Production: John Gallagher, BAVFC
Did You Know? Mechanical CPR
"Did You Know? - Mechanical CPR". The concept of mechanical CPR has been around the field of emergency medicine for decades. The newest version on the market is known as the Lucas and is made by Physio-Control. In episode #6 of our series "Did You Know?" listen to Dr. Paul Chizmar, EMS Chief of the BAVFC discuss this tool and its benefits to you and your family. RG
Photography and Production: John Gallagher, BAVFC
Country Village Helmet Cam Video - Chief Snyder
As a chief officer, or any officer for that matter, there is much to think about when running the incident scene. Here is the view Asst Chief Bill Snyder had during the first four minutes of the County Village apartment fire on 2/27. (Note the video may seem edited, that's because it is. His primary search of the exposure apartments was edited out in lieu of personal privacy. RG
Thomas Run Auto Fire (Harford Co. MD)
Did You Know? Firefighter's Breathing Tool- The SCBA
Episode #5 of "Did You Know?". Today is about the firefighter's breathing apparatus. It is what firefighters use to breath safely when the air around them is unsafe, like inside a fire. A firefighter needs to be in good physical condition to withstand the intense labor their job entails. Their physical conditioning and their level of their work is directly related to how long their air supply can last. RG
Photography and Production Courtesy: John Gallagher, BAVFC
Did You Know? BAVFC Cadet Members
2/17: Welcome to another edition of "Did You Know?" Today we will be profiling our BAVFC cadet members; young men and women aged 16 to 18. They are participating in the Harford County Cadet Program, a joint educational initiative between Harford County Public Schools and the Harford County Vol Fire and EMS Association. As high school seniors and program participants through a sponsoring fire/ems company they receive all the entry level training to become firefighters and EMS providers. RG
Photography/Production: John Gallagher, BAVFC
Did You Know? - Cardiac Monitor
2/10: EMS or emergency medical services is an ever evolving technological profession. Listen to the words from EMS Asst Chief Paul Chizmar. He discusses one important piece of equipment, the cardiac monitor, that our medic units must carry to provide you and your familiy the best patient care possible. RG
Video Work Courtesy: John Gallagher, BAVFC
Ambulance Club Billing Notice
Please see the video message about the recent ambulance club billing that may have affected you. RG
"Did You Know?" - How It's Made
Here is another edition of "Did You Know?" A series of mini videos discussing the who, what, and why of the BAVFC.
Video Courtesy: John Gallagher, BAVFC
The OFFICIAL page for The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company 
