Expert after expert said Watch Duty was their go-to source for information on wildfire maps, firefighting activities, air quality alerts and official evacuation orders.
“This is the app I use most often now. I really love it.” Michael GollnerHe’s a professor of engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and studies wildfires.
Even if you’re not at risk of wildfires, we all experience natural disasters at some point: floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, heatwaves, etc. Watch Duty is an example of how technology can augment the expertise of government officials and enthusiasts to keep them informed and safe during a crisis.
Watch Duty combines official sources, such as police news bulletins and video camera footage of fires, with information compiled by trained staff and volunteers, some of whom are retired firefighters and other public safety employees, who listen to public safety radio communications.
In the app’s feed, Watch Duty tries to compile and make sense of the clutter, and you can sign up to receive free wildfire notifications for counties in about a dozen states.
Anthony Zarate of Spokane, Washington, is a Watch Duty fan. Recent wildfires in the region.
Zarate said Watch Duty eliminates the need to dig through local news reports, public safety notices, online posts and other sources. “It brings together the best of social media and public service in one place,” Zarate said.
Experts like Gollner say lookouts are helpful for monitoring fires and staying vigilant, but they’re no substitute for official information or government evacuation orders.
Isaac Sanchez, deputy director of public affairs for Cal Fire, said unofficial sources like Watch Duty can lack the nuance and context of official government reports.
“Whatever you’re doing to increase your situational awareness, Cal Fire will support it,” Sanchez said, “but be aware that the sources you hear may be unofficial.”
In the Watch Duty app, Information provided by staff or volunteersSome from so-called “reporters” and some from official sources like Cal Fire.
No information source is completely reliable; cell phone and internet service may be unavailable during a fire, cutting off communications. Gollner also said people shouldn’t be complacent just because a wildfire is far away; fire and wind conditions can change quickly.
Origins of the monitoring obligation
More than a decade ago, Mills founded a software company that helped restaurant chains with tasks like food-safety checklists. In 2019, he bought land north of San Francisco for his future home. He stayed there when the pandemic hit in 2020.
During that year’s wildfires, Mills said he didn’t have enough information about what was happening or what to do. He was glued to social media posts by hobbyists who compiled wildfire information from public safety communications. Stream online.
Mills said the idea for Watch Duty was born out of his own experience, talking to community groups and local officials, and watching emergency services centres struggle with hard-to-use software to dispatch help.
He put $1 million into launching Watch Duty and enlisted a friend from Silicon Valley to help him write the app’s code. Posting about wildfires has helped her grow her social media following.
During the first week of surveillance Available in 3 California countiesMills said the app has tens of thousands of users. In the past month, WatchDuty has gained Approximately 1.1 million users.
Watch Duty is a nonprofit organization, and members who pay $25 a year get access to extra features, such as flight tracking of firefighting aircraft.
Mills said he hopes to expand the mission to other types of natural disasters. “I can’t think of anything better in my life,” he said.
How to stay informed about and prepare for wildfires and other natural disasters
Sign up for emergency alerts in your area. California residents Forest fire prevention website To sign up for emergency alerts, go online and search your county name and “emergency alert.”
In some counties, you can sign up for local public safety text alerts by texting your zip code to 888777. Through NixleFor more information on emergency alerts, please click here.
Follow your local police and fire departments on social media. Sanchez said it’s important to pay attention to official information. Cal Fire website.
Use sources like Watch Duty and local news. Golnar is Here is a list of wildfire resources. Wildfires are also visible on Google MapsIt helps to be informed before you travel.
Whatever you do, listen to your local authorities. “If emergency responders tell you to evacuate, don’t wait,” Gollner said.
Sanchez also said people should “follow their instincts.” He said he recently received a call from a family who was unsure whether to leave their home because of a wildfire nearby. There had been no official evacuation order, but they felt it was not safe to stay in their home. Sanchez advised the family to trust their instincts.
Plan ahead for fires and other disasters. California Fire Department Preparation Guide Building an emergency kit can help you make your home less susceptible to fires around your home, and many of the tips are also useful for other natural disasters.
The Washington Post also has a guide on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane that’s useful for other types of emergencies as well.
Research shows that having strong ties within a community Building personal resilience when disaster strikes.
Sanchez says that while it can be scary to think about all the terrible things that could happen, people should instead think about preparing for potential emergencies as a way to gain peace of mind.