As LA blazes rage, even firefighters turn to Watch Duty
Jan 23, 2025
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David Merritt, Chief Technology Officer at Watch Duty, shares insights into how their app is revolutionizing wildfire information. With the California fires intensifying, the app has become vital for real-time updates, benefiting both firefighters and communities. Merritt discusses the evolution of this nonprofit initiative, the importance of data in managing evacuation protocols, and how they harness radio communications for accurate reporting. The conversation highlights innovative approaches to disaster management and the commitment to serving communities without commercial interference.
The Watch Duty app emerged as a vital tool for emergency information during wildfires, emphasizing the need for real-time updates and community engagement.
As a nonprofit, Watch Duty operates on donations and grants, prioritizing user privacy while providing accurate, manually reported information during crises.
Deep dives
Puerto Rico: An Innovation Hub
Puerto Rico stands out as a prime location for innovation, offering a rich environment where startups and established companies thrive. The island boasts a vibrant ecosystem filled with talented individuals who are not only highly skilled but also bilingual, making it an attractive place for businesses. Competitive tax incentives further enhance its appeal, positioning Puerto Rico as a destination that can support diverse business ventures. The message emphasizes that if one believes their business can succeed anywhere, Puerto Rico is the ideal choice.
The Birth of Watch Duty App
Watch Duty is an app designed to provide reliable information during wildfire emergencies and was born from a need for accurate updates during crises. The inspiration came from a personal experience where a resident faced multiple wildfires without access to timely information, leading to the concept of a reporting platform. Launched with a proof of concept in just 80 days, the app gained rapid popularity, garnering hundreds of thousands of users and proving invaluable to both the community and firefighters. Its success emerged from its ability to consolidate information and provide real-time updates, addressing a significant gap in emergency communication.
Manual Reporting and Nonprofit Model
Watch Duty operates through a unique blend of volunteer and paid reporting, emphasizing the importance of human input in emergency information dissemination. The organization prioritizes manual reporting, listening to real-time radio communications, to ensure accuracy and context in their updates. As a nonprofit, Watch Duty does not rely on advertising or user data, operating instead on donations and grants to sustain its efforts, which allows them to maintain user privacy. The app's rapid growth during wildfire events demonstrated its critical role in crisis management, with millions of downloads and a massive surge in user engagement.
Getting fast, comprehensive and accurate information is crucial during emergencies like the devastating wildfires still raging in the Los Angeles area. And over the last two terrifying weeks, one app has become the place to find it: Watch Duty. Operated by a nonprofit, the app was launched in 2021 to track wildfires in Northern California and now provides coverage for more than 20 states. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with David Merritt, Watch Duty’s chief technology officer, about how it all came together.
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