History of the Ovilla Fire Department

 


Early fire department history in Ovilla consisted of a bucket brigade that was made up of whoever was available at the time. The water board of the Ovilla Community
Center made up the first organized fire department. They also bought the first fire apparatus. It was purchased from Duncanville in the early 1960's. Some of its members included Paul Watkins, Wilson Pickard, Fred Curtis and Bill Curry. The second truck was given to the fire department by Ellis County.

The Ovilla Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated in 1980, and so began its first formal organization. The incorporation was abolished in 1985 and became the city of Ovilla Volunteer Fire Department at that time.

Today the Ovilla Fire Department consists of approximately 15 Volunteers and 31 part-time paid personnel. In addition the department maintains 12 various types of fire apparatus that respond to fire, rescue and EMS incidents in the City of Ovilla and Ellis County ESD's #2 and #4. As the city of Ovilla continues to grow, our responsibilities to the community and surrounding area will grow as well. Rest assured that the Ovilla Fire Department will continue to maintain a high level of dedication and professionalism to meet the forthcoming challenges. Please take a look at the pictures below to see the many face lifts our station has encountered in the past 20 years.