John Mills thrives on solving problems. Whether by restoring homes, engineering software, or designing tools for those often overlooked by traditional technology. His career has been defined by a simple belief: push past perceived limits, and nearly anything is possible.
As CEO and co-founder of Watch Duty, Mills has turned that ethos into action. Watch Duty began as a wildfire information app for the Western U.S., giving residents real-time alerts in fire-prone regions. Now, with the launch of Watch Duty Pro, it’s evolving into an essential tool for firefighters, first responders, and emergency managers, providing them with the critical data they need to stay ahead of fast-moving wildfires.
Mills’ path to innovation started early. Raised in a hands-on environment, he spent his childhood helping his father restore houses, learning the fundamentals of wiring, plumbing, and construction. That mindset of seeing engineering as an extension of problem-solving led him to Silicon Valley, where he built and sold Zenput, a company focused on creating technology for underserved industries.
His approach to technology isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about making sure the right people have the right tools at the right time.
With Watch Duty Pro, Mills is doing just that, ensuring those on the front lines of wildfire response have access to the real-time intelligence they need to protect lives and communities. We sat down with Mills to find out all about the solution that is revolutionizing critical communications.
It’s a simple problem: in fire-prone areas, you rarely get immediate alerts when a fire starts. During the critical initial attack phase, there’s almost no information.
Public Information Officers and Incident Management Teams take time to set up, but a fire can spread a football field’s length in seconds, as with the Palisades Fire. By the time an alert goes out, sometimes up to 90 minutes later, land, homes, and lives may already be lost.
This issue isn’t limited to one area; we see it across the West. Watch Duty operates in 22 states. If you’ve experienced a wildfire, you understand how crucial quick, detailed information is.
John Mills
While government alerts exist, they can be too late or too vague. You often don’t know where the fire’s headed or which way is safest to evacuate. Instead, you scramble for answers online or through neighbors. That’s the gap Watch Duty was created to fill, and we think it’s been successful.
Originally, we thought professionals—firefighters, tanker pilots, dozer operators—already had everything they needed. We assumed they just weren’t sharing it. But field feedback proved otherwise. A tanker pilot said, “I use Watch Duty in my aircraft.” That surprised us because it meant people on the front lines lacked critical information, too.
Realizing that first responders also relied on us pushed us to build a professional version of Watch Duty. Right now, nearly 7,000 professionals are signed up, including many volunteers, who make up 70% of the U.S. fire service. Volunteer firefighters often have even less real-time data, so we adapted Watch Duty to meet their needs.
We’re adding features like real-time radio broadcasts, fire progression models, and fuel moisture data, plus support for ESRI and GIS layers. Rather than just offering another “tool,” we aim for a true solution. Firefighters juggling hoses and vehicles can’t wade through endless menus; they need clear, accessible information.
We focus on simplifying the data so it’s easy to use under pressure. By democratizing that information, we’re helping them get exactly what they need to respond effectively.
Key data points include real-time radio communications, which is why Broadcastify integration is so useful. A firefighter might say, “I have a radio,” but if they’re sent four counties away, they’ll need another channel. We also provide our own radio streams to fill coverage gaps.
We talk constantly with first responders—asking what they really need. When a large mutual aid event happens, suddenly 2,000 people from different states show up with minimal situational awareness. That’s where Watch Duty helps.
A major request is the ability to import their own data. Field crews don’t always have access to real-time info.
We’re making sure the critical data is in their hands, not locked away in complex systems. We aren’t reinventing geospatial tools; we’re just making them easier to use and more accessible.
John Mills
One challenge in wildfires is figuring out who “owns” the fire. There’s a patchwork of federal, state, and local areas—FRA, SRA, LRA—plus BLM land, Forest Service land, and tribal land. Sometimes responders adjust the fire’s reported location over the radio to reflect different jurisdictions. It’s complicated, but knowing which agency is responsible is crucial for resources and coordination.
Infrastructure data is also key. Firefighters need to know where high-power lines or gas pipelines are because it affects how they fight the fire. Some details, like utility substations, might be proprietary and not widely shared, but we include what’s publicly available.
Another example is radio towers. Battalion chiefs often have a big book of radio tones. If you head three counties away, you should be able to tap a screen to see, “This fire uses Tone 4.” The information is already public—on Broadcastify or FCC websites—but we’re making it easy to access. There’s no secret sauce; it’s just presenting critical data in a clear, user-friendly way.
They keep asking for more: progression models, IEP maps, pin-dropping, and so on. As they see what’s possible, they push for new features. The response has been very positive. In Southern California, for example, every engine in Los Angeles bought Watch Duty Pro. The demand continues to grow.
One advantage is layering additional tools over our system. We handle radio traffic, and they overlay their operational data. We’re like their Overwatch, recording what’s happening and making it accessible.
Funding is a major challenge. We don’t want responders to pay. Our nonprofit operations are sustained by user subscriptions, and we’ll always keep a free version. Ideally, government agencies, foundations, and boards of supervisors could support this so responders get better tools without an out-of-pocket cost, and the public benefits from more free features.
We’re enhancing fire response capabilities but also moving beyond just wildfires. We’re integrating weather sensor data, including air quality, wind speeds, and soon, flood and severe weather monitoring. Eventually, we’ll include tsunami buoys and earthquake gauges. This data will be free to view, but custom alerts will require a membership.
Real-time weather is crucial. Forecasts can be off. If a mountaintop wind gauge hits 60 mph, responders must know immediately.
This isn’t just for firefighting. Utility workers also need this.
John Mills
EOCs might have sophisticated systems, but field crews don’t always see those updates. A lineman or field manager should get an alert when wind speeds spike or a river rises dangerously.
We’re nearly done rolling out core fire features, but we’re expanding into broader disaster management. Users include agricultural workers who need to track heat or air quality to comply with OSHA regulations. Instead of manually checking conditions, they can receive push notifications. Ultimately, we want a platform that improves coordination and safety for everyone in fire-prone or disaster-prone areas.
