Each wildfire season brings with it heartbreak and devastation. For me, these stories cut deeper because I lived it—I lost my home in the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs. In the aftermath, I learned that what truly matters is the safety of my loved ones. But beyond personal loss, I’ve come to a troubling realization: our systems are failing to protect us, and technology could have—and should have—done more.

The Immediate Response: Help and Hard Questions

After any tragedy, people rush to help, but they also ask uncomfortable questions: Will you rebuild? Do you have insurance? Do you have enough money? These questions highlight a glaring gap in how we prepare for and respond to disasters. We rely on individuals to pick up the pieces, but systemic solutions remain out of reach.

Technology’s Missed Opportunity

As someone working in technology, I can’t help but feel that we in this field must take responsibility. Technology won’t save everyone, but it helps us lose less.

Why does it always take so long to inform the public? With today’s advancements in sensors, thermal imaging, drones, and satellites, there’s no excuse for delayed response. Are our forest services equipped with cutting-edge tools, or are we just betting against disasters happening in high-profile areas like Los Angeles? Show us the cost of prevention compared to the cost of destruction.

Federal Response: Where’s the Accountability?

How are federal resources deployed in emergencies? Was San Francisco’s fire department sent to support Los Angeles, and how was that gap filled back home? Who makes these critical decisions, and what data informs them? We need a transparent analysis of these “judgment calls in real-time” to learn and improve. Mistakes happen—but repeating them is less ok.

Tech-Driven Solutions or More Check-Writing?

We can’t keep throwing money at this problem without demanding real technological solutions. Too many people across this country rebuild after disasters only to watch the same mistakes happen again. Where’s the proof that technology is making a difference?

Platforms like Citizen are already outperforming traditional emergency response systems in delivering timely alerts. If you asked how many users on Citizen heard about fires before official departments, what would that timeline reveal? It’s terrifying to think that private apps might outpace public safety systems in crisis response.

Systems Designed for Calm, Not Crisis

Our current systems aren’t built for disasters. They’re built for business-as-usual. That’s why we react slowly, offer relief too late, and struggle with decision-making. Disasters escalate gradually, and by the time they overwhelm us, it’s too late for prevention. People assume someone will step in and resolve the crisis, but few have experienced moving up and down that chain with confidence—it's a coordination nightmare.

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