DFR & What3words

[hiegtx]

Lately, I've heard Dallas Fire Rescue units asking, at times for the caller's what3words, especially when dealing with a stretch of one of the interstates where there is no other specific landmark, or physical address, easily accessible. For example, last Friday night, DFR Engine 43 requested the caller's 'what3words', for a call somewhere on I-35E that was on the [poorly marked section of Stemmons Fwy between Regal Row & Storey Lane. 660 (DFR dispatch) advised, after a couple of minutes, that the requested information had been added to comments for the call. The engine company found the caller fairly quickly after that info was provided. I'm occasionally hearing references to this app on the Dallas PD patrol channel that covers my area of the city.

More on this app can be found on this Google search results. This is a free app. In some cases, the specific words are generated by a cellphone call, and are available to the call taker.

 

[mmckenna]

It's a pretty handy solution when the location doesn't come in with the 911 call. It's a lot easier to pass the 3 words over the phone than it is for someone inexperienced trying to read latitude and longitude.
I've heard of a number of dispatch centers using it.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Interesting, i learned something new. Thanks for sharing the info.

 

[BaLa]

I'm surprised its not used more often really.
Not just in Fire Calls.

Could be very useful in some applications

///valve.chase.coast

This is the what3words address for a 3 metre square location near Dallas, Texas.

w3w.co

///valve.chase.coast


Even the Google Maps Plus Codes..they're similar

Google Search

Q5VF+J6 Dallas, Texas

 

[hiegtx]

Here's a link for a news story on What3Words from WFAA, Ch 8 in the DFW area:

Dallas PD and Fire Rescue announces new location technology meant to help reach exact locations of emergencies more quickly

The what3words app divides local areas into smaller dimensions, allowing call handlers to pinpoint distressed callers to an exact 10-foot square location

www.wfaa.com

After I saw this last October, I installed the app on my iPhone, While Dallas may be using it, there are other jurisdictions, especially on rural roads, where it's hard to determine an exact location where emergency response is needed.