The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company is located in southern Harford County, Maryland. We are one of 12 fire and ambulance companies in our county, providing fire suppression, rescue, and advanced life support services to approximately 30,000 people in the communities of Joppa, Joppatowne, Edgewood, and part of Kingsville. We operate from three stations with five engines, one ladder truck, three ALS ambulances, a brush truck, four chief’s vehicles, three utility vehicles, and one coffee wagon. Dispatch services are provided county-wide by the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations. Hazardous materials mitigation is handled by the Harford County Hazmat Team, which is a paid-on-call team of approximately 30 members. Fire investigation is handled by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The borders of JMVFC’s area are the Baltimore/Harford County line to the west, the AMTRAK/CSX rail line to the south, Winters Run/Edgewood Road to the east, and U.S. Route 1 to the north.

On Thursday January 28, 2010 at 1558 hours Company was rsponding to a reported auto fire on NB I95 MM 73.0 when a UPS tractor trailer jackknifed directly behind Engine 814. Engine 813 was about a quarter mile ahead of E814 and Captain 83 was directly behind the tractor trailer and watched the accident unfold. Captain 83 set up I95 command and requested a full HAZ-MAT assignment due to the fact that the 90 gallon saddle tank ruptured spilling approximatley 80 gallons of diesel onto the roadway. E814 stretched an handline and E813 responded to the scene. The driver was uninjured but was transported via Medic 892 for evaluation. Units on scene: Captain 83 (command), E814, E813, E482 (Kingsville), Chief 82, Haz-Mat 2, 4, Car 5, Car 8, MDE and MSP. Units cleared at 1741 hours.

On Wednesday December 16, 2009 Company 8 was alerted for a reported building fire in the 818 box. The fire was at 540 Joppa Farm Road on the property of the Holy Spirit Church. Fire Marshal 49 was the first on scene and advised Dispatch that he had a large single story building with heavy smoke showing and requested the 2nd Alarm. Baltimore County Engine 481 arrived quickly followed by Truck 831 and Chief 81, Chief 81 requested the 3rd alarm for manpower. Units began an aggressive interior attack and encountered heay fire and smoke conditions. All searches were negative. The building was occupied at the time of dispatch by a church group preparing for their holiday party. The building was horseshoe shaped and crews were briefly pulled out of the Charlie/Delta corner of the building due to a partial roof collapse as crews continued to operate in the remainder of the building. Due to the aggressive attack the building was not a total loss. This fire brought manpower from across the County. Units on scene: Chief 81 (Petersen) with the command, Truck 831, Engine 811, Engine 813, Utility 896, Medics 891 and 893, 2 Engines out of Kingsville, 2 Engines, Tower, Air Unit and Rehab out of Bel Air, Engine 1311 (Fallston), Engine 215 (Aberdeen), Engine and Truck from Abingdon, 2 Engines from Havre de Grace, Engine 201 (White Marsh), Engine 12 (BCoFD Middle River), Truck 1232 (APG Edgewood), Engine 113 (Level) filled in Company 8 house 3, Engine 714 (Jarrettsville) filled in Fallston. Baltimore County Central Alaramers and the Maryland State Fire Marshal were on scene. The last units cleared at 1445 hours.

On Wednesday December 16, 2009 at 1604 hours Company 8 was alerted for a reported dwelling fire in Abingdon. Engine 814 went enroute in less than a minute. Engine 215 from Aberdeen arrived to find a 2 car detached garage on fire. Engine 215 stretched 2 handlines, Truck 431 and Engine 814 were the next two pieces to arrive. Engine 814 supplied Engine 215. The assignment was held to Engine 215, Engine 814, Ch81 Truck 431 and Ch 42. Command requested Maryland State Fire Marshal to the scene. Company 8 units were on scene for about an hour.

On Sunday November 8, 2009 at 1550 hours Company 8 was alerted for a rescue assignment on I95 North Bound at mm 75.4. Truck 831, Engine 815 and Chief 8 went enroute at 1551 hours. Dispatch advised units that there was 1 vehicle on its side and 1 vehicle under a tractor trailer. Chief 8 had Baltimore County Station 48 alerted for their Squad and Company 2 Aberdeen alerted for their Rescue. Lieutenant 84 was the first to arrive on scene and advised that there was 1 vehicle on its side, patient was self extricated and an SUV completely under a tractor trailer fully loaded with liquid oxygen with 2 patients trapped! Engine 815 and Truck 831 arrived onscene and began extrication. Rescue 451 arrived and assisted. Command requested the Haz-Mat team for the tanker truck. Both patients were extricated within 15 minutes and were transported to Bayview Trauma Center Priority1. Patients from the overturned vehicle were transported to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Priority 3. Units on scene: Chief 8, Chief 81, Truck 831, Engine 811, 815, Squad 483 (Kingsville), Rescue 451 (Abingdon), Rescue 251 (Aberdeen), Medic 892, Medic 492 (Abingdon) Harford County Haz-Mat Team, Maryland Department of the Enviroment and Maryland State Police. Units cleared at 1955 hours.

On Sunday November 1, 2009 units from Company 8 made the trip to West Chester Pennsylvania's Training facility. The purpose of this trip was to spend the day training in a top notch live burn facility. This training was a great learning experience for our younger members and will now become a bi-annual trip for the Company. Company 8 would like to thank the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company as well as the Susquehanna Hose Company for filling us in for the day. If you would like information on West Chesters facility go to www.wcfdtc.org

On Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 0027 hours Company 8 was alerted for a reported truck fire on Mountain Road. Engine 812 went enroute and was advised by Dispatch that the Sheriffs Office was onscene with a working fire. Engine 812 arrived with a fully involved cab of a tractor trailer. Command requested an engine out of Aberdeen Proving Grounds and the tanker out of Kingsville. Engine 1211 and Engine 814 arrived onscene and supplied water to Engine 812 for the fire attack. The saddle tanks had ruptured on the truck and Harford County Haz-Mat and Maryland Department of the Enviroment were notified. Crews utilized foam from Engine 1211 to put out the remaining fire. Units onscene Engine 812, 814, Utility 871, Engine 1211 (APG), Tanker 488, MDE and Harford County Haz-Mat Team. Units cleared at 0151 hours.

On Tuesday October 6, 2009 at 1133 hours Company 8 was alerted for a single vehicle accident on I95 North Bound at mile marker 77.1. Units arrived to find a Mini Cooper rolled over the guardrail. Units on scene Engine 812, Rescue 451, Medic 491.

On Sunday October 4, 2009 The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company held its annual open house. This is a day of fun for the whole family! There were fire apparatus static displays, a bomb disposal robot courtesy of the Maryland State Fire Marshall as well as numerous displays from numerous local organizations, including a helicopter provided by STAT MEDEVAC. There were several live demonstrations including an auto extrication using the Jaws of Life, an auto fire and a live structural burn showing the difference home sprinklers can make. Check back soon for next years date, as we look forward to seeing you there!

On Sunday, August 30, 2009 The JMVFC Softball Team won The Hero's League Tournament in dominating fashion by winning all four games they played by at least ten runs. JMVFC defeated Norrisville, Darlington, and our rivals Susquehanna Hose twice, including the championship game. This was a total team effort that resulted in winning the championship which has eluded us in the past. The team would like to thank the company for it's support.

On Friday August 28, 2009 @ 1123 hours Company 8 was alerted for a reported dwelling fire at 1933 Eloise Lane in the 826 Box. Engine 814 responded with 6. Safety 8 called on scene within 2 minutes with a 3 story middle of group with heavy smoke showing, the workinfg fire was requested. Engine 814 dropped 5" to the front of the dwelling, 2 1 3/4 attack lines were placed in service. Engine 815 also dropped 5" to the front of the dwelling. Crews had a working basement fire and kept the fire from spreading to the rest of the dwelling. Units on scene: E814, E815, T831, T1232 (APG), E411, E311, E481(Kingsville), Safety 8, FM46, BGE. Engine 315 filled in Company 8 House 3. Photos by Angie Barrow and John Sheridan 

On Monday August 24, 2009 @ 0245 hours Company 8 was alerted for a reported dwelling fire on Rainbow Court. Engine 814 arrived to find a 2 story single family dwelling with smoke showing from side Alpha. Engine 814 dropped a 3" supply line and stretched an 1 3/4 attack line to the interior. Crews found a working kitchen fire and made a quick knock. The fire was held to the kitchen with smoke damage to the rest of the dwelling. Crews on scene for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Units on scene: E814, T831, T1232 (APG), E481 (KINGSVILLE) and Medic 893

Multiple calls rolled in to the Harford County Dispatch Center for a reported house fire on Angel Drive in Long Bar Harbor, Abingdon.  Box 406 was dispatched at 691 Angel Drive at 1327 hours.  Engine 814 was first to arrive with a 2 story split level fire through the roof.  Engine 814 stretched a line to the interior of the dwelling and began knocking the fire.  Engine 411 arrived right behind Engine 814 and the OIC called for the working fire. Truck 831 arrived shortly after, laddering the dwelling, completing searches, and checking for fire extension.  Companies from 3, 4, 8, 12, and BCoFD 48 operated on scene for approximately 2 hours.  The fire is currently under investigation by the MSFMO.

In the early morning hours at 0538 hours Box 407 was dispatched for a house fire in the 2800 block of Philadelphia Road.  Engine 814, Chief 8-1, and Chief 4-2 quickly marked up.  Chief 4-2 arrived at 2855 Philadelphia Road with a single story vacant dwelling fully involved and called for the working fire.  Engine 814 arrived and dropped 800 feet of 5 inch supply line from the top of the drive way and advised the second due company to complete the lay.  Engine 814 stretched a 2 ½ inch line and began knocking the fire.  Engine 411 completed the lay . Once the water supply was completed the monitor pipe was put in service knocking a majority of the fire.  A dozer was later called to the scene due to collapse throughout the dwelling.  Companies from 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 12 operated for approximately 3 hours.  The fire is currently under investigation by the MSFMO.

Rescue box 851 was alerted in the 700 blk of Old Joppa Road for the reported overturned vehicle with entrapment.  Lieutenant 3 (Davis) arrived first on the scene confirming one vehicle involved in a rollover with one victim trapped.  Chief 3 (Snyder) and Rescue 351 arrived shortly thereafter, followed by Engine 811, Truck 831, and Medic 892.  Vehicle extrication was complicated by a transformer inside the vehicle.  Command requested Rescue 251 to respond to the scene to utilize their crane.  Units operated for approximately 40 minutes.  Victim was transported by air via MSP Trooper 1 to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.  Chief 8 (Lloyd) had the Command with Chief 3 as Rescue Operations.