South Central Ambulance Service is joining emergency services across the UK taking part in the annual what3words #KnowExactlyWhere summer safety week.
This campaign aims to raise awareness of the free what3words app, and how it can be effectively utilised by callers to communicate precise locations in an emergency – saving time, resources and, in some cases, lives.
Summer is a busy period for emergency response teams, and the recent heatwaves that have affected our region have lead to a significant increase in calls. ‘What’s the address of the emergency?’ is one of the first questions asked by our emergency call takers, but individuals who have been enjoying the outdoors, or who are working outdoors, can often find themselves in trouble in unaddressed and difficult to describe locations, such as beaches, forests and farmland.
what3words has divided the world into a grid of three metre squares, and assigned each square a unique identifier made of three random words, known as a what3words address. This means every front door, picnic spot, motorway hard shoulder and point along a hiking trail has its own easily-communicable address.
If you’re unable to give an exact address or have difficulties describing where you are, by giving our emergency control room team your what3words address, they can pinpoint your exact location and help direct emergency personnel by land, water or air to exactly where you are.
You can download the free what3words app here: what3words
Know Exactly Where Week runs from 29 June to 5 July.