Our History

The Story

This year, 2025, the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department celebrates its 50th anniversary and Williamson County Emergency Services District 1 celebrates 30 years. This is their storiy as I know it. Some of the dates are missing and will be updated later. - Laurie Golding


In the summer of 1975, after fire destroyed a home in the Forest North Estates sub-division, a group of residents from Forest North and Anderson Mill got together and formed the Jollyville Company of the Round Rock Volunteer Fire Department. The group secured a bank loan and purchased an Army surplus 2-1/2 ton 750 gallon tanker and an open cab 1943 Chevrolet fire engine. There was a rule that surplus military vehicles had to be repainted so someone had painted the tanker with a brush and whitewash. The “Santa Claus” truck is now in the Williamson County Old Settlers Association Fire Museum in Round Rock. The first fire station was a wood frame garage on Pond Springs Road that the group rented for $1 a year.


In 1978 17 Jollyville firefighters responded to another house fire in Forest North Estates with both trucks and, in accordance with a mutual aid agreement, were assisted by Sam Bass, Cedar Park, and Round Rock firefighters but the house could not be saved. At that time Jollyville firefighters were conducting door-to-door fund raising campaign and later sent out letters requesting donations to support their mission. For nine years the firefighters and families served an annual Pancake Supper as a fund raiser which was strongly supported by the entire community.


In 1980 a contract was signed with the Anderson Mill Municipal Utility District to provide funding for fire protection and medical first response for half of the current district. About that time, the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department was designated as a Rural Fire District but no additional funding was realized. As the population increased, the need for fire protection and medical first response increased as well, prompting firefighters to raise their levels firefighting and medical training by attending the A&M Fire School and certifying as ECA’s, EMT’s and Paramedics, still as volunteers on their own time. Eventually, the need for more and better vehicles and full time firefighters could not be ignored. The high call volume necessitated the transition to a mixed paid and volunteer department which still exists today.


In 1985 a group of the volunteers held a successful election to form a taxing entity for the district and the Williamson County Emergency Services District Number One was born. It was the first emergency services district established in Williamson County; today there are 12. We go by several names; WILCO ESD NO.1, WCESD1 or just ESD1. There are five commissioners on the board which sets an annual tax rate, receives funding from district property taxes, and sales taxes for the provision of fire protection and medical response services to the district. The ESD Board contracts with Jollyville VFD to provide those and many related services. The ESD Board provides funding for the station, vehicles, equipment, personnel and benefits; anything required for the fulfillment of the mission. The two entities work as a team with the common goal of serving our district to the very best of our abilities.


In 20XX the City of Austin annexed about 53% of our district and tax base. The future for WILCO ESD 1 and Jollyville VFD looked dark. With substantially reduced tax revenues and a smaller area to cover, we closed the station in the Anderson Mill subdivision and added on to the current station on Anderson Mill Road, providing vehicle space and crew living quarters for the entire Jollyville VFD.


Then in 20XX the ESD1 Board held a successful election to capture the one percent sales tax that was available. In spite of the comptroller’s relatively low estimate of revenue and the high cost for the election, we were determined to do everything possible to support our district in every possible way. There was no increase in the sales tax of 8.25% which was already being collected, it just redirected it from a “black hole” to our district; when this was explained to the voters, it passed without a problem and it saved ESD1, JVFD, and the district we serve. We have realized 10 to 16 times more revenue annually than was originally estimated and it not only has kept us in business but it has allowed us to offer our firefighters competitive wages and excellent benefits including medical care and a retirement plan. We have a state of the art, safe and reliable fleet of vehicles, an on-site, realistic training area, and up-to-date, safe, and reliable equipment and gear.


We’re really proud of the Jollyville VFD fire chief and firefighters, paid and volunteers, and we hope the residents of our district share our belief that we are very fortunate to have such dedicated men and women determined to provide us the best possible service whatever it may be. And we are so grateful to the many through the past 50 years who selflessly gave their time, talents, and energy to build both the organizations that they are today.

The Story

This year, 2025, the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department celebrates its 50th anniversary and Williamson County Emergency Services District 1 celebrates 30 years. This is their storiy as I know it. Some of the dates are

missing and will be updated later. Laurie Golding


In the summer of 1975, after fire destroyed a home in the Forest North Estates sub-division, a group of residents from Forest North and Anderson Mill got together and formed the Jollyville Company of the Round Rock Volunteer Fire Department. The group secured a bank loan and purchased an Army surplus 2-1/2 ton 750 gallon tanker and an open cab 1943 Chevrolet fire engine. There was a rule that surplus military vehicles had to be repainted so someone had painted the tanker with a brush and whitewash. The “Santa Claus” truck is now in the Williamson County Old Settlers Association Fire Museum in Round Rock. The first fire station was a wood frame garage on Pond Springs Road that the group rented for $1 a year.


In 1978 17 Jollyville firefighters responded to another house fire in Forest North Estates with both trucks and, in accordance with a mutual aid agreement, were assisted by Sam Bass, Cedar Park, and Round Rock firefighters but the house could not be saved. At that time Jollyville firefighters were conducting door-to-door fund raising campaign and later sent out letters requesting donations to support their mission. For nine years the firefighters and families served an annual Pancake Supper as a fund raiser which was strongly supported by the entire community.


In 1980 a contract was signed with the Anderson Mill Municipal Utility District to provide funding for fire protection and medical first response for half of the current district. About that time, the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department was designated as a Rural Fire District but no additional funding was realized. As the population increased, the need for fire protection and medical first response increased as well, prompting firefighters to raise their levels firefighting and medical training by attending the A&M Fire School and certifying as ECA’s, EMT’s and Paramedics, still as volunteers on their own time. Eventually, the need for more and better vehicles and full time firefighters could not be ignored. The high call volume necessitated the transition to a mixed paid and volunteer department which still exists today.


In 1985 a group of the volunteers held a successful election to form a taxing entity for the district and the Williamson County Emergency Services District Number One was born. It was the first emergency services district established in Williamson County; today there are 12. We go by several names; WILCO ESD NO.1, WCESD1 or just ESD1. There are five commissioners on the board which sets an annual tax rate, receives funding from district property taxes, and sales taxes for the provision of fire protection and medical response services to the district. The ESD Board contracts with Jollyville VFD to provide those and many related services. The ESD Board provides funding for the station, vehicles, equipment, personnel and benefits; anything required for the fulfillment of the mission. The two entities work as a team with the common goal of serving our district to the very best of our abilities.


In 20XX the City of Austin annexed about 53% of our district and tax base. The future for WILCO ESD 1 and Jollyville VFD looked dark. With substantially reduced tax revenues and a smaller area to cover, we closed the station in the Anderson Mill subdivision and added on to the current station on Anderson Mill Road, providing vehicle space and crew living quarters for the entire Jollyville VFD.


Then in 20XX the ESD1 Board held a successful election to capture the one percent sales tax that was available. In spite of the comptroller’s relatively low estimate of revenue and the high cost for the election, we were determined to do everything possible to support our district in every possible way. There was no increase in the sales tax of 8.25% which was already being collected, it just redirected it from a “black hole” to our district; when this was explained to the voters, it passed without a problem. And it saved ESD1, JVFD, and the district we serve. We have realized 10 to 16 times more revenue annually than was originally estimated and it not only has kept us in business but it has allowed us to offer our firefighters competitive wages and excellent benefits including medical care and a retirement plan. We have a state of the art, safe and reliable fleet of vehicles, an on-site, realistic training area, and up-to-date, safe, and reliable equipment and gear.


We’re really proud of the Jollyville VFD fire chief and firefighters, paid and volunteers, and we hope the residents of our district share our belief that we are very fortunate to have such dedicated men and women determined to provide us the best possible service whatever it may be. And we are so grateful to the many through the past 50 years who selflessly gave their time, talents, and energy to build both the organizations that they are today.
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