110 S. Main St., Lockhart, Texas 78644  |  (512) 398-1800
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Caldwell County

Texas — Official Government Website

Emergency Management

Keeping Caldwell County Prepared, Protected, and Resilient

In an Emergency, Call 911 Sign Up for Alerts
Caldwell County Emergency Management
Hector Rangel
Chief Emergency Management Coordinator
Deputy: Joann Garza-Mayberry
(512) 398-1822 Email Office
Life-threatening emergency? Call 911 immediately. This page provides preparedness information only. For emergencies, do not delay — call 911.

Emergency Alerts — WarnCentralTexas

Sign Up for Free Emergency Notifications

WarnCentralTexas.org is the official emergency notification system for Caldwell County and surrounding Central Texas communities. Registration is free and takes under two minutes.

  • Severe weather & tornado warnings
  • Flash flooding events
  • Wildfires & burn restrictions
  • Road closures & traffic hazards
  • Public safety emergencies
  • Evacuation notices

Free for all Caldwell County residents. You can choose to receive alerts by text, email, or phone call.

TextMyGov

Caldwell County uses TextMyGov (widget key: 01162247) to send text-based government notifications. If you are already registered on the main county site, your emergency text alerts are active.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

Your cell phone automatically receives Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from the federal system for imminent threats. Registering with WarnCentralTexas provides additional, more localized notifications beyond what WEA delivers.

STEAR Registry — Special Needs Assistance

The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) is a free program that helps local emergency planners and first responders identify and prioritize outreach to residents who may need extra assistance during evacuations or other emergencies.

If you or a family member has a physical, medical, or access-and-functional-needs condition that could make it difficult to evacuate or shelter safely, registering with STEAR helps ensure that responders know you may need assistance.

Who Should Register?

  • Individuals with physical disabilities or mobility limitations
  • People who depend on electricity for medical equipment
  • Residents without personal transportation
  • Elderly individuals living alone
  • People with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments
  • Caregivers registering on behalf of a family member

STEAR Quick Facts

Program State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry
Cost Free
Administered by Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)
Register at stear.tdem.texas.gov
Questions? (512) 398-1822
Pre-register vulnerable family members before an emergency occurs so first responders are already aware of your needs.

Burn Ban Information

No Active Burn Ban Status is updated by the county when conditions change. Verify at caldwellcounty.net or call (512) 398-1822 before burning.

Caldwell County may issue burn bans during periods of dry or windy conditions to reduce the risk of wildfires. Burn bans are declared by the County Judge based on the Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI) and current weather conditions.

Violations of a burn ban are a Class C misdemeanor under Texas law. When a burn ban is in effect, open burning of any material outdoors is prohibited unless an exception applies.

Burn Ban FAQ

Can I use a gas grill during a burn ban?
Properly designed, enclosed gas grills are generally permitted during a burn ban because they contain their flames and do not produce open burning. However, you should avoid using any grill in high-wind conditions where embers could spread. When in doubt, contact the Emergency Management office.
Who declares a burn ban?
Burn bans are declared by the Caldwell County Judge, based on current drought conditions as measured by the Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI) and other weather factors such as wind speed and relative humidity.
How long does a burn ban last?
A burn ban remains in effect until the County Judge formally lifts it. There is no automatic expiration. Check caldwellcounty.net or call (512) 398-1822 for current status before conducting any outdoor burning.
What happens if I violate a burn ban?
Violating a burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor under Texas law, punishable by a fine. Beyond the legal penalty, you may also be held liable for any fire damage or suppression costs if your burning causes a wildfire.

Fire Departments & EMS Services

For all fire and medical emergencies, call 911. The information below is provided for general reference only.
Fire Departments

Municipal Departments

  • Lockhart Fire Department (City)
  • Luling Fire Department (City)

Volunteer Fire Departments

  • Prairie Lea Volunteer Fire Department
  • Martindale Volunteer Fire Department
  • McMahan Volunteer Fire Department
  • Fentress Volunteer Fire Department
  • Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department

Volunteer fire departments serve the unincorporated areas of Caldwell County. Their dedication protects rural residents throughout the county.

EMS Services

Emergency Medical Services are provided by different agencies depending on your location in Caldwell County:

Unincorporated Areas Caldwell County EMS
City of Lockhart Lockhart EMS
City of Luling Luling EMS
Medical emergency? Call 911 — do not call individual EMS agencies directly.

Emergency Management Office

Coordinator Hector Rangel
Deputy Coordinator Joann Garza-Mayberry
Phone (512) 398-1822
Email emergencymanagement@co.caldwell.tx.us
Location Caldwell County Sheriff's Office Complex
Lockhart, TX 78644

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Being prepared before a disaster strikes can save lives. Caldwell County Emergency Management encourages all residents to take the following steps now, before an emergency occurs.

Build a 72-Hour Emergency Kit

Your kit should sustain each member of your household for at least 72 hours.

Water (1 gal/day/person)
Non-perishable food
Medications & prescriptions
Flashlight & batteries
Battery/hand-crank radio
First aid kit
Important documents
Cash (small bills)
Extra keys
Pet supplies
Full Kit Checklist at ready.gov
Make a Family Communication Plan

Disasters can separate families. A plan ensures everyone knows what to do and where to meet.

  • Designate an out-of-area contact everyone can reach
  • Agree on a meeting place near your home
  • Agree on a second meeting place farther from your neighborhood
  • Make sure all family members know the plan, including children
  • Write contacts on a card everyone carries
Plan Templates at ready.gov
Know Your Evacuation Routes

Know multiple routes out of your neighborhood and the county before you need them.

  • Identify primary and alternate routes from your home
  • Know the location of the nearest shelter — watch WarnCentralTexas and local media during events
  • Pre-register family members who may need assistance in the STEAR Registry
  • Keep your vehicle's fuel tank at least half full during severe weather season
  • Have a destination in mind if you must leave the county

Shelter locations are announced during events via WarnCentralTexas notifications and local media.

Get Evacuation Alerts
Official Preparedness Resources
ready.gov U.S. Department of Homeland Security — comprehensive disaster preparedness guides
tdem.texas.gov Texas Division of Emergency Management — state-level resources, STEAR, and disaster declarations
fema.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency — disaster declarations, individual assistance, and flood resources
warncentraltexas.org Sign up for Caldwell County emergency notifications — severe weather, flooding, wildfires, and more