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What Next | Daily News and Analysis
TBD | As Fires Approached LA, Angelenos Turned to Watch Duty
Jan 19, 2025
David Merritt, cofounder and CTO of Watch Duty, discusses his innovative app designed to provide real-time wildfire information to Los Angeles residents. He highlights how Watch Duty empowers users with location-specific updates, contrasting it with traditional and often sluggish government alerts. Merritt emphasizes the importance of human verification in emergency reporting and the app's collaborative, community-driven approach. The conversation reveals how technology can redefine crisis communication and improve local awareness during disasters.
25:46
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Quick takeaways
- Watch Duty provides real-time fire information and evacuation resources, filling the gaps left by traditional government alerts and media.
- The app's reliability stems from human verification of updates, combining technology with expert oversight to ensure accurate emergency information.
Deep dives
The Emergence of Watch Duty
Watch Duty was created as a response to the inadequacies of traditional information sources during natural disasters. Co-founders John Mills and David Merritt developed the app after experiencing the challenges of tracking wildfires in real time. Users provide their location, and the app offers a comprehensive map of active fires, evacuation zones, and pertinent resource information. This immediacy and localization have made Watch Duty an essential tool for those affected by emergencies, especially as social media platforms have struggled to deliver timely and accurate alerts.
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