Fire Marshal's Office
Emergency Management
In danger now? Call 911. This page is for planning ahead. It does not carry live warnings or incident updates.
Cockrell Hill is small, so we don't do this alone. We work closely with Dallas County, the State of Texas, and our neighboring cities, and we share resources with them before, during, and after an emergency.
Get emergency alerts
We push emergency alerts primarily through social media. Have more than one way to get warnings, though: any single source can fail, and storms can arrive in the middle of the night while you're asleep.
Social media
Our main channel for emergency alerts. Follow the Cockrell Hill Fire Department on Facebook and turn on notifications so you see updates right away.
Wireless Emergency Alerts
Most cell phones receive official warnings automatically. Make sure emergency alerts are turned on in your phone's settings.
NOAA Weather Radio
A weather radio sounds an alarm for warnings even if the power or cell service is out, and it can wake you at night.
NOAA Weather Radio (National Weather Service) (external site)
Outdoor warning siren
Cockrell Hill has one outdoor warning siren, which covers the whole city. It is designed to warn people who are outside. When you hear it, go indoors right away and take shelter, then check our social media, local news, or the National Weather Service for details.
The siren is not meant to be heard inside homes and businesses, especially during a storm. Don't wait to hear it. Use the alert sources above so a warning reaches you wherever you are.
Monthly testWe test the siren at noon on the first Wednesday of every month, unless inclement weather is expected.
Shelters, cooling centers, and warming centers
When shelters or cooling and warming centers are needed, we announce them on our social media. Because Cockrell Hill is a small city, we usually direct residents to sites run by our partner jurisdictions, such as the City of Dallas and Dallas County.
For shelter locations and other help during an emergency, you can also call 2-1-1 Texas.
Know your hazards
These are the emergencies Cockrell Hill residents are most likely to face.
Severe storms and tornadoes
North Texas storms can bring tornadoes, damaging wind, large hail, and lightning, often with little warning. Know where you'll shelter: the lowest floor, in an interior room away from windows.
- Tornado safety (external site) (National Weather Service)
- Thunderstorms and lightning (external site) (Ready.gov)
Flooding
Heavy rain can flood streets and underpasses quickly. Never drive or walk through flooded roads. Turn around, don't drown.
- Flood safety (external site) (National Weather Service)
- Floods (external site) (Ready.gov)
Extreme heat
Texas summers are dangerous for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and anyone without air conditioning. Check on your neighbors during heat waves.
- Heat safety (external site) (National Weather Service)
- Extreme heat (external site) (Ready.gov)
Winter storms
Ice and freezing temperatures can shut down roads and power for days. Protect people, pets, and pipes, and never use a generator or grill indoors.
- Winter weather safety (external site) (National Weather Service)
- Winter weather (external site) (Ready.gov)
Power outages
Storms and extreme temperatures can knock out power. Keep flashlights and charged batteries on hand, and report outages to Oncor.
- Report or check an outage (external site) (Oncor)
- Power outages (external site) (Ready.gov)
Hazardous materials
Chemical spills and gas leaks can force people to evacuate or stay inside. If you smell gas, leave the area right away. From a safe distance, call 911 and Atmos Energy's 24-hour emergency line at 866‑322‑8667. Atmos Energy is the natural gas provider for Cockrell Hill.
- Suspect a natural gas leak? (external site) (Atmos Energy)
- Chemical and hazardous materials incidents (external site) (Ready.gov)
Get prepared
Make a plan
Decide how your household will get warnings, where you'll shelter, and how you'll reach each other.
Build a kit
Keep water, food, medicine, flashlights, batteries, and copies of important documents ready to go.
Register if you may need help
The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) lets people with disabilities, medical needs, or no transportation share that information with local emergency planners. Registering does not guarantee a service.
Plan for people with disabilities
Include medical devices, medications, and support needs in your plan.
Plan for pets
Include food, water, records, and a carrier or leash for each pet.
Protect your finances
Keep insurance policies and important records safe and accessible.
How Cockrell Hill plans for disasters
Dallas County All Hazards Emergency Plan
Cockrell Hill operates under the Dallas County All Hazards Emergency Plan, so the City's response fits into the countywide plan used by Dallas County and its cities.
Dallas County Homeland Security and Emergency Management (external site)
Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Cockrell Hill participates in the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies the hazards facing the county and actions to reduce long-term risk to people and property. Having this plan also keeps the City eligible for federal mitigation grants.
Texas Emergency Management Assistance Teams (TEMAT)
Cockrell Hill is part of the TEMAT program, a statewide network of trained personnel from cities and agencies across Texas who can be called on to help communities during disasters and major emergencies.
After a disaster
Contact emergency management
Emergency Management CoordinatorEd Woo, Fire Marshal[email protected]
Fire Marshal's Office: 214-330-6333 (option 1) or [email protected]
For emergencies, always call 911.