Watch Duty

At the heart of Watch Duty is a deeply ingrained culture of service and a mission to provide a beacon of truth in times of crisis. Born from the personal and harrowing experience of co-founder John Mills during the 2020 Walbridge Fire, the organization is built on the fundamental belief that everyone deserves access to timely, accurate, and life-saving information during wildfires. This ethos permeates every aspect of the organization, from its operational core to its community engagement. The team, a unique blend of dedicated paid staff and a vast network of over 200 passionate volunteers, is the lifeblood of Watch Duty. This collective includes active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders who bring invaluable on-the-ground experience and an unwavering commitment to public safety. They are the vigilant eyes and ears, diligently monitoring radio scanners and official channels 24/7 to ensure that every alert is vetted and verified before it reaches the public.

The culture at Watch Duty is one of integrity, collaboration, and relentless dedication. There's a profound understanding that in the face of disaster, speed must be balanced with absolute accuracy. The team operates with a strict code of conduct, prioritizing factual reporting over sensationalism to build and maintain the trust of the communities they serve and the first responders they support. This commitment to truth is what sets them apart in an age of rampant misinformation. The organization fosters a remote-first environment, with its team members and volunteers distributed across the country, all connected by a shared purpose and a powerful sense of community. This structure allows them to bring together the best talent, regardless of location, and to effectively cover a wide geographical area. Ultimately, Watch Duty is more than just an app; it's a movement of people helping people, a testament to the power of community and technology working in harmony to protect lives and property from the devastating impact of wildfires.