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    Roman Baligad. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Nice to Meet Ya: Roman Baligad

Dealing with disasters is a hard job. It requires the ability to make quick decisions while under severe pressure in the middle of an emergency. Roman Baligad, Dripping Springs Emergency Management Coordinator, is one of those individuals who can handle the pressure.

Roman is a 20-year Coast Guard veteran who returned to school in 2012 full-time to earn his Emergency and Disaster Management degree at American Military University. Moving to Texas from New Jersey, he had hoped to open a new market for his family’s business. “Dripping Springs was our first choice when looking for a new home for my family. I had a son in high school and he participated on the swim team. Dripping Springs was where we put down roots.” His son is a 2013 DSHS graduate and his 12-year old stepson is currently attending Dripping Springs Christian Academy.

Although the family business didn’t quite work out, he drew on his experience in emergency management and was hired as a Technical Operations Officer at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). During his time at TDEM, Hurricane Harvey hit the east coast of Texas and Roman played a key role in coordinating state and local response to assist the hurricane victims. “I was working at TDEM, then the job opened up in Dripping Springs…I loved the idea of working to help my community. In the Coast Guard, as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer, we were always hands on with rescuing people, face to face.” One dramatic rescue he recounts, was the rescue of a crewmember from a sinking ship.

“In 2020, a tugboat started to take on water off the coast of Oregon, 20 miles offshore. It was 2 a.m. and raining, 70 knot winds, 30-foot seas. When the tugboat sank, three crew members were able to get into the liferaft and the two other crew members were drifting alone in their survival suits. Our helicopter was deployed and we searched for the crew. By the time we found them, the helicopter was low on fuel in high winds and heavy seas.” Roman attempted the rescue while still attached to the helicopter hoist cable, but the high seas would not let him get close enough. Against regulations, he unhooked himself from the hoist cable. “I swam to the crewmember. The helicopter lowered a rescue basket down to the water and I hauled him into it. We were both lifted into the helicopter. The rescue was a team effort.” All but one crewmember were rescued. Roman was awarded the highest Coast Guard aviation medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with extraordinary heroism. According to Naval History and Command, “the Distinguished Flying Cross may be awarded to any service member, while serving in the capacity of the Armed Forces, who distinguish themselves for heroism or outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight.”

Nerves under fire come in handy. Such was the case with the flood of 2019. “The flood management team was awesome. The Emergency Management plan was executed efficiently and assistance was rendered in a timely manner. The county and state, with the city, worked together cohesively throughout the entire situation,” Baligad said.

As for the current emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation can change at a moment’s notice. “The governor laid out the parameters for response and precautions and we continue to monitor the situation, responding as appropriate.” The list of potential emergencies like tornados, wildfires, floods and evacuations are always a threat, but even if Baligad is out of town, not at city hall or indisposed, there’s still a plan that can be accessed easily. The mayor, the council, the employees at City Hall and our first responders are all part of the plan. They are a talented group of people who work together as a team before, during and after an emergency to help the citizens of Dripping Springs. “Anybody can go to the plan, one that assists the mayor when a disaster is declared by local officials.”

Some words of advice to all community members, is to be prepared. “Being prepared is the most important thing for any emergency. Have a plan and a go-kit ready to take with you if you have to leave home for any reason. Make sure your family knows what the plan is and make sure you have a safe place identified in advance where you can take shelter."

Dripping Springs Century-News

P.O. Box 732
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

Phone: (512) 858-4163
Fax: (512) 847-9054