Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department - DOVFD

03/24/2026

The DOVFD would like to make Double Oak citizens aware of an upcoming test being conducted by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). While we do not run this test or control its elements, we do support it. Tests like this are important to public safety!

For more information please follow this link to a press release provided by Denton County.

https://www.dentoncounty.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1388

03/20/2026

In support of the DOWC Pancake Breakfast and Egg Hunt. We’ll be there making pancakes!

02/25/2026

Thank you to Mayor Johnson, Town Manager Chris Laugenour, and the DO Town Council.

They worked with us to provide additional funding in support of purchasing new pagers (our primary way of being informed of 911 calls) as well as new LED scene lights for our vehicles. This will help us continue to respond in a timely fashion, provide for scene safety, and remove some outdated hard-to-maintain equipment from our fire engines.

All of the items have been ordered and we should have them delivered and operational in the next six weeks!

02/25/2026

On February 16th we deployed an engine and crew of four, for two weeks as part of a special Strike Team. The first of those deployed started at a wildfire in the Panhandle and chased the largest fire potential to central Texas.

After a week they were replaced by four other DOVFD members. Everyone is now home safe.

02/11/2026

For those who met Chandler Lawson when he was on our department, we’re proud to share that he was pinned last night after completing his probationary year with Grapevine FD. He was with Little Elm prior to that after starting his career with us.

01/28/2026

01/22/2026

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BEFORE THE STORM (24–48 HOURS AHEAD)
❄️1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.
❄️2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.
❄️3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.
❄️4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.
❄️5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.
❄️6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.
❄️7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.
❄️8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.

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WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION
❄️9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.
❄️10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
❄️11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
❄️12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.
❄️13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
❄️14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.

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FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP
❄️15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups.
❄️16. Have manual can opener available.
❄️17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.
❄️18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”
❄️19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing.
❄️20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.

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HEAT AND HOME SAFETY
❄️21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.
❄️22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.
❄️23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.
❄️24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
❄️25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.
❄️26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.

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VEHICLE AND TRAVEL
❄️27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins.
❄️28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.
❄️29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves.
❄️30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
❄️31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible.
❄️32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days.

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POWER OUTAGE PLAN
❄️33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.
❄️34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates.
❄️35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers.
❄️36. Know where warming centers may be in your area.
❄️37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside.
❄️38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air.

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PETS AND LIVESTOCK
❄️39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water.
❄️40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources.
❄️41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters.
❄️42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation.

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MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS
❄️43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages.
❄️44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds.
❄️45. Have backup batteries for medical devices.
❄️46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed.

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PROPERTY PROTECTION
❄️47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines.
❄️48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items.
❄️49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand.
❄️50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen.

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DURING THE STORM
❄️51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
❄️52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous.
❄️53. Use only safe indoor heating methods.
❄️54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible.
❄️55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency.

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AFTER THE STORM
❄️56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight.
❄️57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise.
❄️58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours.
❄️59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines.
❄️60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days.

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KEY REALITY FOR SOUTHERN ICE EVENTS
❄️A quarter inch of ice can bring scattered outages.
❄️Half an inch can cripple travel and power for days.
❄️Ice is more dangerous than snow for the Deep South

(I'm not sure the original author of this or I would tag/ give credit!)

01/21/2026

12/23/2025

One of the things we do is an annual check of all the fire hydrants. We flush them, check for functionality, and grease the threads. Any issues are reported to Cross Timber Water for remediation. Other issues like intruding landscaping are reported to Town Hall.

12/05/2025

We always appreciate the support of the kind folks of Double Oak. And this article makes us even more appreciative! Thanks for not stabbing our fire hoses.

Despite the holes, the firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.

11/26/2025

December 7th Santa will be touring DO!

Fire Chiefs have an inside track to the big man in the red suit, so once again ours has arranged for Santa to come see the boys and girls of all ages across Double Oak. Listen for the sirens as he approaches riding the front bumper of a fire engine.

Happy Thanksgiving and we’ll see you in a few days!