In an innovative move to improve emergency response, the Plano Police Department, in Texas, has teamed up with the location technology company what3words. Plano residents now have the opportunity to quickly and accurately convey their location to 911 operators in times of crisis using just three words. According to the Plano Texas Police Department, the integration of the what3words app with their emergency services is effective starting today.
The free what3words app divides the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, each assigned a unique combination of three words—a what3words address. In an emergency, callers can swiftly provide their three-word location to 911 operators, potentially reducing response time and saving lives. "Starting today you can use the free what3words app to tell Plano 911 exactly where help is needed during an emergency," the Plano Texas Police Department stated.
The process for using the app in emergencies is straightforward. First, individuals in distress are to call or text 911. Then, while on the line with emergency operators, they use the what3words app to find their location's unique three-word code. This code is then given to the 911 call taker to help determine the caller's exact whereabouts. For ease of access, the app is available to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The new system is not just a tool for emergency response, but also an added feature for upcoming community events. The Plano Police Department's post also included hashtags relating to Texas cultural events such as #TexasForeverFest and #TXForeverFest, as well as a nod to Plano Arts & Events, indicating that the app could also be used to quickly locate people during large gatherings or festivals. "Download today on the Apple App Store or Google Play," the Plano Texas Police Department encourages users, aiming to make to facilitate widespread adoption of this lifesaving technology.
