I hope all of your family and friends are safe after the regional disaster we all experienced over this holiday weekend. Rain and storms were predicted, with high rain totals in many areas, but no one saw this event coming. We will always try to predict Mother Nature but she will never be fully understood. I’m not going to go down the list of incidents that were responded to or the horrible loss of life that occurred, I want to focus on warnings. Right now, there are a bunch of folks unhappy that there was little or no warnings prior to this event occurring. Others are complaining that there were no weather (tornado) sirens to warn them of the emergency situation. This is just disappointing… Every single cell phone in every person’s pocket has a government warning capability that is equivalent to the National Broadcasting Emergency Warning System…its just most folks have it turned off! Every local news app on your phone has the same notifications…also shut off. Even Ring and Next Door apps have warning notifications but they are normally shut off! My phone was ringing like a Vegas slot machine all weekend, so I know they were all working… Folks, while sometimes annoying, these little apps can actually save your lives during these types of regional and local emergencies. Please, go to your settings and turn them on - Please, go to your settings and turn them on - go to your settings, "Notifications" page, and scroll down to the bottom to "Government Alerts." 

In the summer of 1975, after fire destroyed a home in the Forest North subdivision, a group of residents from the Forest North and Anderson Mill neighborhoods got together and formed the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department. The trained to provide fire protection and vehicle accident response. In 1978, seeing a need, members of Jollyville Fire took Emergency Care Attendant (ECA) courses, tested with the Texas Department of Health and started responding to medical emergencies in our response area as medical first responders. Through the years, JVFD achieved multiple firsts: first Fire District in the county (Williamson County Fire District #1 - 1985), first volunteer fire department in the county to have Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs – 1990), and the first Emergency Services District in the County (Williamson County Emergency Services District #1 - 1995). Today, Jollyville covers an area of approximately 11 square miles and protects approximately 18,500 people, responding to over 1000 call for assistance per year.

Did you know a fire extinguisher can be your first line of defense in a home emergency? Having one nearby—and knowing how to use it—can stop a small fire from becoming a disaster. 🧯 ✅ Keep extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, and near exits ✅ Make sure everyone in your home knows where they are and how to operate them ✅ Check the pressure gauge monthly and replace expired units Protect what matters most. Stay ready, stay safe! #JollyvilleFD #FireSafety #BePrepared #HomeSafetyTips #FireExtinguisherFacts

Every year, consumer fireworks cause thousands of injuries and start dangerous fires — many of them completely preventable. The Jollyville Fire Department strongly encourages families to enjoy the holiday by attending a professional fireworks show instead. Professional displays are not only safer, they're bigger, brighter, and choreographed for maximum impact. You get all the thrill without the risk. Skip the backyard fireworks and make it a night to remember — safely. Let the professionals light up the sky. #JollyvilleFD #FireworksSafety #CelebrateSmart #LeaveItToThePros