If you're in an emergency situation and don't know your location to share with first responders, there's an app for that.
Timmins Police is going live with using what3words this week, according to communications manager Selena Pearce-Gauthier.
The app has given every three metre square in the world a unique three-word address that always stays the same.
"Essentially if somebody was to get the app and they would call in here and they can’t give us a valid address or a way to find them the app would give them three dictionary words that they could give to us and we, in turn, could enter it into the website and give them an exact location," Pearce-Gauthier explained to the police services board today.
To test out its accuracy, she sent a patrol officer out.
"I was able to tell him that he was actually on Spruce Street North right in front of the Lord’s Kitchen door and that’s exactly where he was. And the second location that he gave me ... was on Porcupine Lake and I was able to tell him that if he went to the end of Bloor Avenue, went right to the shoreline and went out about 610 feet that’s exactly where he was, and that’s exactly where he was,” she said.
The app is simple to use, she said, and doesn't require data or cell service because it works off of GPS satellite.
“Also if you don’t have the app, we are able to send a link to the caller for them to get immediately they’ll be able to open up the app and get the addresses,” she said.
Other than its benefits in an emergency, Pearce-Gauthier said the possibilities locally are endless. Mining companies, hikers and anglers are some of the people she noted could use it.
Staff will also be reaching out to local businesses to either use the app or share the information with their employees.
