When it comes to emergency management, one thing is certain: time and accuracy can mean the difference between disaster and salvation. The ability to act quickly, backed by precise information, has always been a goal for emergency responders. However, for years, many decisions were made with incomplete data or on-the-ground intuition.
Initial Incident Support, LLC is working to change that.
By providing real-time, actionable intelligence, the company is revolutionizing how emergencies are managed, offering critical tools to ensure that responders, decision-makers, and communities can act with confidence during their most vulnerable moments.
The company was founded by Tim Werle, who, with the assistance of others, developed the FIRIS Fusion Center to align with Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Brian Fennessy’s vision for intelligence gathering and distribution. Tim established the workflows that currently guide its operations. From FIRIS’s inception to its current status, funded and managed by Cal OES, he has been involved every step of the way. IIS employs two Fusion Manager Supervisors, and 18 Fusion Managers. Each Fusion Manager has held a leadership position within the Fire/EMS service and has extensive experience working with incident management teams throughout California and the country. Additionally, each Fusion Manager has been performing this role since the FIRIS program was first developed and tested.
“Our mission is to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and awareness for all-hazard incidents and events to support decision-making and risk management,” says Werle.
A New Standard in Crisis Management
Emergency response has traditionally relied on a mix of experience, limited situational data, and gut instincts to guide action. While these methods have saved lives, they also have limitations. The fast pace of wildfires, hurricanes, oil spills, and other disasters often outstrips the capacity of responders to gather and analyse the necessary data. This gap in information can lead to missed opportunities, wasted resources, or decisions that inadvertently place people and property at greater risk.
Tim Werle understands these challenges better than most. With over 32 years in emergency service and extensive experience in incident management, he has seen firsthand how critical—and often elusive—timely information can be.
“In those crucial early hours of an emergency, every decision matters,” Werle explains. “What we’re doing at Initial Incident Support is giving emergency leaders access to tools and data they’ve never had before. It’s not just a game-changer—it’s a life-saver.”
At the heart of Initial Incident Support’s operations are its two Fusion Centers, located in Northern and Southern California. These hubs operate around the clock, combining the expertise of experienced Fusion Managers—we are all former firefighters, not many of us, all of us—with cutting-edge technology and data analysis from Fusion Modelers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Together, they gather and process streams of information from sources such as dispatch data, live camera feeds, and radio traffic to create a clear and detailed picture of unfolding emergencies.
Advanced Fire Modeling
A key component of the company’s work is real-time fire modeling. Using software developed in collaboration with UC San Diego WIFIRE Lab, the team predicts fire behavior up to three hours in advance. The model incorporates factors such as topography, wind speed, fuel moisture, and vegetation type to map out how a fire is likely to spread. This information is critical for evacuation planning, resource allocation, and identifying areas at greatest risk. However, the real innovation lies in the software’s simplicity.
“It takes all that complexity and turns it into something that firefighters in the field can use immediately,” Werle says. “Color-coded maps show the fire’s progression, so there’s no guesswork.”
Leveraging Aerial Intelligence
For high-stakes incidents—whether due to potential loss of life, economic impact, or environmental damage—Through Disciplined Initiative, Initial Incident Support can deploy specialized aircraft in partnership with Aevex Aerospace and Dynamic Aviation. These aircraft are equipped with advanced technology sensors and high-definition cameras that can stream live footage from altitudes of 13,000 feet. The airplanes are equipped with satellite communication systems to ensure data transmission in real time, even in remote or infrastructure-damaged areas.
The aerial intelligence is invaluable. On the ground, responders often struggle to assess the full scope of a fire or disaster due to poor visibility or difficult terrain. Live aerial views as electro-optical, infrared, or a combination of the two provide a bird’s-eye perspective cutting out smoke and limited visability, allowing incident commanders to see the big picture.
What We're Doing At Initial Incident Support Is Giving Emergency Leaders Access To Tools And Data They've Never Had Before. It's Not Just A Game-Changer-It's A Life-Saver
Stories of Success
The effectiveness of Initial Incident Support’s approach has been proven in multiple emergencies. During the 2021 Huntington Beach oil spill, for example, their aerial imagery helped officials quickly identify the location and scope of the spill. This enabled targeted responses, such as closing affected beaches and canceling nearby events, while avoiding unnecessary disruptions to unaffected areas.
In another case, a Fire Chief used Initial Incident Support’s fire modeling to make a critical decision about resource deployment. By analyzing the predicted path of a wildfire, the chief determined that additional fire engines weren’t needed in one area, saving thousands of dollars and freeing up resources for higher-risk locations.
“It’s not just about saving money,” Werle says. “It’s about putting resources where they’ll do the most good.”
The People Behind the Tech
The success of Initial Incident Support is rooted in the expertise of its team. Werle’s deep understanding of emergency response is complemented by a staff of seasoned professionals. The Fusion Managers bring decades of hands-on experience as firefighters and Incident Management Team members, while the Fusion Modelers at UC San Diego WIFIRE contribute cutting-edge knowledge of fire science and data analysis. The university provides critical insights of evolving scientific and technological advancements ensuring trust in the analytics.
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Our Mission Is To Provide Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance And Awareness For All-Hazard Incidents/Events For Decision Support And Risk Management
“We don’t overwhelm responders with a flood of information. We focus on what’s essential—what they need to make the best decisions under pressure,” he says.
Innovations on the Horizon
Currently, Initial Incident Support operates primarily in California, a state that has seen some of the most devastating wildfires in recent history. However, the company has its sights set on broader horizons.
Initial Incident Support is exploring partnerships with other fire-prone states, including Oregon, Washington, and Texas, as well as international collaborations with countries such as Greece and Australia.
“We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” Werle says. “Every state and country faces unique challenges, but the need for timely, accurate information is universal.”
As part of its commitment to staying at the forefront of emergency response, Initial Incident Support is continually refining its tools and exploring new technologies. One area of focus is damage assessment. By combining infrared aerial imagery with building footprint data, the company can provide rapid assessments of fire damage within hours of an incident. This capability could significantly speed up recovery efforts, allowing communities to rebuild sooner.
Another exciting area of development is the use of drones. These agile aircraft could complement the company’s existing fleet by providing detailed views of hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, advances in satellite technology could enhance their ability to monitor incidents in remote locations or during extreme weather conditions.
Building Resilience for the Future
The importance of preparedness in emergency management cannot be overstated. By equipping responders with real-time intelligence, Initial Incident Support is helping to build resilience against disasters, ensuring that communities are better protected and more capable of recovering quickly.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Werle notes how far they’ve come since their early days as a small operation. “When we started, our program had one airplane and a 12-hour operation window. Now we’re running 24/7 with a statewide network. And this is just the beginning.”
Initial Incident Support is more than a provider of emergency intelligence—it’s a catalyst for change in how crises are managed. By combining state-of-the-art technology with the expertise of seasoned professionals, the company is giving emergency responders the tools they need to act decisively and effectively.
As it expands its reach and continues to innovate, Initial Incident Support’s mission remains clear: to protect lives, property, and communities by ensuring that decisions in the face of disaster are driven by reliable, real-time data.
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