Dripping Springs launches its own emergency management plan

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas - The Dripping Springs Emergency Management Department has launched the city's first Emergency Management Plan after working with emergency officials from across Hays County.

Previously if there was a disaster, the city's first response was to follow the procedures and protocols of the Hays County Office of Emergency Management. But officials say due to Dripping Springs being the only city located in the northern part of Hays County and somewhat distanced from many county services, officials felt it was important to create its own plan for the safety of its citizens.

Dripping Springs Emergency Management Coordinator Roman Baligad says in a news release, “The plan was designed so the City of Dripping Springs can adequately prepare, mitigate, respond and recover from a natural or man-made disaster or other emergency. We’ve always been prepared should an emergency occur, but during a disaster time matters, and the less time we spend waiting for help the better off we will be. Our plan has identified our own local resources that can respond on short notice.”

The Emergency Management Plan includes extensive policies and procedures on critical emergency plans the city will follow before, during, and after an emergency. This includes advance training, incident command systems, organization and responsibilities, lines of succession, agreements and resources, recordkeeping, and more.

Parts of the Dripping Springs Emergency Management Plan and include:

• Finance and FEMA reimbursement where applicable
• Debris management
• Temporary housing and immediate personal item assistance
• Citizen property rebuilding assistance
• Temporary shelter and feeding of citizens and our pets and livestock
• Crisis mental health services
• Public relations during disaster
• Citizen education before disasters for preparedness education
• Continuity of operations for local government
• Volunteer and donation management

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Officials say the plan is a work in progress and that plan will continue to be assessed and expanded as needed.