Wildfire Evacuation Alerts | Perimeter

The Growing Need for Improved Wildfire Evacuation Information

A rapidly advancing wildfire looms outside – a terrifying scenario unfolding with increasing frequency. This often leads to confusion, fear, and a hurried evacuation. Roads initially remain open, only to be abruptly closed by authorities, resulting in significant traffic congestion. While firebreaks may temporarily halt the flames, their unpredictable nature means they can quickly shift direction. Preparedness plans, meticulously crafted beforehand, are often rendered useless the moment individuals attempt to leave their homes.

During critical moments, clear and accessible information regarding evacuation procedures and destinations is paramount. However, such information is frequently unavailable in a readily usable format.

Personal Experience Drives Innovation

Bailey Farren’s family has personally navigated the challenges of wildfire evacuations on four separate occasions while residing in Northern California. The increasing prevalence of wildfires, exacerbated by climate change and resulting aridity, has not been matched by improvements in evacuation processes, which remain chaotic. As a student at Berkeley, she initiated an investigation into the underlying causes of these difficulties, specifically why her family consistently lacked the necessary information for a safe and efficient escape. “My initial assumption was that first responders were fully equipped,” she stated.

This proved incorrect. Firefighters actively engaged on the front lines often lack the technological resources required to transmit precise information to command centers. Consequently, authorities frequently resort to broad, generalized evacuation orders via text message, often encompassing entire counties, with minimal specific guidance.

From Tragedy to Solution: The Birth of Perimeter

The devastating Camp Fire in California in 2018, the state’s most destructive wildfire to date, spurred Farren to move beyond interviews and begin developing a practical solution. Upon graduating in spring 2019, she co-founded Perimeter with fellow Berkeley alumnus Noah Wu.

Perimeter is an emergency response platform specifically designed to “bridge the communication gap between agencies and the public,” as described by Farren. It achieves this by facilitating enhanced two-way communication centered around geospatial data.

Securing Seed Funding for Expansion

The company recently announced the successful completion of a $1 million pre-seed funding round. This round was led by Shawn Merani of Parade Ventures, with participation from Dustin Dolginow of One World, a social-impact organization, and Alchemist Accelerator. Alchemist Accelerator provided the initial investment in the startup.

Citizen Reporting and Verified Information

Perimeter enables citizens to contribute geospatial-tagged data, such as reports of new fire ignitions or road blockages caused by fallen trees. “Citizens often possess the most current and accurate information, sometimes even before first responders arrive – we aim to empower them to share this with government officials,” Farren explained. However, this information isn’t immediately public.

Instead, first responders verify the data, ensuring the public relies on accurate information when making critical decisions. “Our intention is not to create another social media platform,” she clarified.

Detailed Evacuation Guidance

Conversely, operations centers can utilize Perimeter to disseminate precise and detailed evacuation maps to citizens, including recommended routes. Unlike simple text alerts, Perimeter delivers both the message and a URL, providing access to maps and real-time updates on the disaster’s progression.

Currently, the platform is accessible as a web application, eliminating the need for pre-installation during emergencies. Farren indicated that the development of native applications is underway, particularly for first responders who require robust offline functionality in disaster areas often characterized by unreliable cellular service.

Collaboration and Beta Testing

Farren and her team have engaged in extensive consultations with emergency management agencies. Their first official customer is the Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services. Over the past two fire seasons, “we adopted a collaborative approach, building the platform in conjunction with agencies… and dedicated two fire seasons to beta testing our technology,” she said.

The company currently comprises four full-time employees, all located in California.

Updated April 12, 2021 to include Shawn Merani’s name as the lead at Parade Ventures and to add a photograph of Perimeter founder Bailey Farren.