Our History

The DCBE/Acton Volunteer Fire Department was chartered and officially established in April 1979 by 25 dedicated charter members who shared a common goal of protecting the DeCordova Bend Estates and Acton communities.

The department's first leadership included Fire Chief Jack Wilkerson, Assistant Chief Steve Gaston, and Fire Marshal Bill Quinn. For the department's first 26 years, operations were based out of a converted maintenance building located just inside the front gate of DeCordova Bend Estates.

Humble Beginnings

The department began with two used fire trucks and a van. The original apparatus included a 1939 converted Chevrolet fire pumper and a surplus military 6x6. As the community continued to grow, so did the department.

In 1981, an anonymous donation made it possible to purchase two Chevrolet C60 series trucks. One was converted into a fire pumper, while the other became a dedicated grass fire apparatus. Over the years, additional fire apparatus were added to the fleet, including one of the first Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) trucks built by the Texas Forest Service.

Building Emergency Medical Services

In 1982, the department partnered with Hood General Hospital to establish an EMS First Responder Program. DCBE/Acton became one of the first fire departments in the area to have Emergency Medical Technicians responding directly from the fire station.

As emergency medicine advanced, the department added paramedics and achieved Advanced Life Support (ALS) capability in the 1990s. Through generous community support, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) were purchased and have been successfully used to save lives. Today, the department continues to encourage members to become EMS-certified while staying at the forefront of emergency medical care.

Growing With Our Community

As the DeCordova Bend Estates and Acton communities have grown, so has the demand for emergency services.

Calls for Service

• 2019: 910

• 2020: 1,096

• 2021: 1,166

• 2022: 1,278

• Today: More than 1,260 emergency calls annually, with the majority being EMS-related incidents.

Today, the DCBE/Acton Volunteer Fire Department proudly serves approximately 42 square miles and more than 12,000 residents across DeCordova Bend Estates, Acton, and the surrounding areas.

To continue meeting the needs of our growing community, the department has invested in modern equipment, advanced training, and expanded emergency response capabilities. Recent additions include:

• A new 3,000-gallon BXT Tanker to strengthen rural water supply operations.

• A new SABER 1,250 GPM / 2,000-gallon Pumper-Tanker, providing increased fire suppression capability and improved response throughout our district.

• Ongoing replacement of firefighter Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to provide the safest and most advanced respiratory protection available.

• Continued investment in firefighter and EMS training, including pump operations, rapid intervention, rescue operations, emergency vehicle operations, and mutual aid training with neighboring departments.

• Expanded community outreach through CPR and AED classes, school education programs, public safety events, fire prevention initiatives, open houses, and our Junior Firefighter Program.

Looking Ahead

From two used fire trucks operating out of a converted maintenance building in 1979 to a modern emergency response organization serving thousands of residents today, the DCBE/Acton Volunteer Fire Department has never lost sight of its mission.

Our department continues to be powered by dedicated volunteers who are committed to protecting lives, preserving property, and serving our neighbors with professionalism, compassion, and integrity. As our community continues to grow, we remain focused on providing exceptional fire, rescue, and emergency medical services while honoring the legacy built by the 25 charter members who started it all over four decades ago.