UK Emergency Services roll out what3words in control rooms to save resources, time and lives
British Police Forces and Emergency Services around the UK have announced the initial rollout of what3words into their operations. In certain areas, callers can now give a 3 word address over the phone when they call 999 and help will be sent straight to that precise location. If your local force is one of the seven that have integrated what3words, you can find your current 3 word address on the what3words app and give it to the call handler. The 3 word address will then be used by the control room to identify your precise location and send help exactly where it is needed.
Identifying precisely where help is needed in an emergency is critical, but can be near impossible in places with no addresses or where addresses cover large areas. When people can’t describe where they are, they can use their phones to locate themselves by dropping a pin on a map – but it’s impossible to share a pin over a 999 call, and for that location information to be passed on to responders. In these situations, emergency services spend valuable time and resources just trying to identify the location of the emergency. In some cases, saving these precious minutes can make the difference between life and death.
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