What Next | Daily News and Analysis TBD | As Fires Approached LA, Angelenos Turned to Watch Duty
8 snips
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.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Alyssa's Fire Experience
- Alyssa Jeong Perry experienced a power outage and witnessed an eerie glow in the sky due to the LA fires.
- She and her mom initially thought the outage would be brief, but it turned out to be extensive.
Watch Duty's Rise
- Angelenos are turning to the Watch Duty app for real-time fire updates, demonstrating a shift in the information ecosystem.
- This reliance on digital alerts, rather than official channels, highlights the app's impact during emergencies.
Watch Duty's Origin
- Watch Duty was created by John Mills, who experienced firsthand the difficulty of tracking wildfires in Sonoma.
- Finding existing tools inadequate, he co-founded the app to address the real-time information gap.