A new mobile app will help the OPP locate people during emergencies.
The what3words app can be downloaded for free and during emergencies, callers who have it installed on their phone can have their location pinpointed so officers can quickly respond.
The app labels every three squared metres with a unique three-word location tag. OPP call takers then enter the three words into a system, which converts the tag into latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates.
When a person contacts an OPP Provincial Communications Centre, the call-taker will ask them if they are familiar with the app and if they have it downloaded onto their device.
If they don’t have it already downloaded on their phone, the call-taker can send callers a link that will automatically show them their three-word location tag.
Police say the process requires minimal cellular and data signals for the caller’s phone to first receive the link and then for them to open and load their location tag from it.
If a caller already has it downloaded, it works without internet or data, so they can still provide the centre with their location code even in locations without a cellular signal.
The process will help OPP find people in remote and forested areas where cell signal is limited and on vast waterways.
“The what3words app offers precise location information when a caller cannot describe or does not know, where they are,” says OPP Assistant Chief Karen Meyer. “This exciting technology may help save precious time in an emergency and enable a more rapid frontline response.”
You can download the app by clicking here.