MISSION CRITICAL WILDFIRE INFO APP
Those of us who live and work in California and the West
know all-too-well the grave impacts that wildfires can have on lives, homes,
property, businesses, and public lands. We also know just how important it is for us
to have access to a rapid and accurate alert system when a fire starts nearby
that could threaten our homes and family and use that information to take the
appropriate action.
Over the years, access to that rapid and accurate wildfire information has been spotty at best. Fortunately, the WATCH DUTY app was created in 2021 by a team of tech savvy and deeply committed first responders, fire professionals, and seasoned communication experts.
WATCH DUTY
https://www.watchduty.org/how-it-works/overview
WATCH DUTY states their mission is to publish only the
facts that provide true situational awareness in case of emergency, without
editorialization or prediction. We honor integrity and correctness over speed
or sensationalism so we can build and maintain trust with not only our
community but our first responders.
WATCH DUTY is a free app that I downloaded in 2022 when I
joined the emergency wildfire response effort in Northern California by driving
wildfire suppression supplies from the North Zone Fire Cache located at the
Redding Airport to fire camps throughout the region. It keeps me updated on fires that I am driving
on and if there is a new fire start or a fire start near my home or that of a
friend. My wife got the WATCH DUTY app
so she could keep track of her family and friends as well.
TESTIMONY FROM FIRST RESPONDERS
https://www.watchduty.org/about/newsroom
I purchased the $25 dollar app upgrade so I could add a
larger number of counties to my alert package to better keep track of wildfire starts
near homes of friends or at popular recreation sites that we visit for OHV and
other forms of outdoor recreation.
Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing, states, “I
was prompted to post this alert since much of California is currently in a Red
Flag Warning and there are wildland fires burning state-wide and I want you to
get this free app now. This is a mission
critical program used by a lot of the fire professionals and first responders
that I know and work with and may just help save your life or that of a family
member or friend.”
# # #
Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation management
profession for over 33 years. Don is President
of Quiet Warrior Racing LLC. Don serves as the Western States Representative
for the Motorcycle Industry Council. Don is Past President/CEO and current
board member of the Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance. Don served as a
contractor to the BlueRibbon Coalition from 1996 until June, 2018. Don served
on the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission from 1994-2000.
He has won numerous awards including being a 2016 Inductee into the Off-Road
Motorsports Hall of Fame and the 2018 Friend of the AMA Award. Don served as
the government affairs lead for AMA District 36 in Northern California from
2019 – 2023. Don is a Core-Team member on FireScape Mendocino. Don is a contributor to Dealernews Magazine.
Don writes from his home in Cottonwood, CA.
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