Sometimes people need help but aren’t sure where they are – perhaps lost in a large park or disoriented. Soon the city’s first responders will have a new way to figure out those people’s location, with their permission, to lend a helping hand.
Beginning March 1, Guelph police, fire and paramedics will have access to what3words, a geolocation app that people can download to their phone. When the phone's owner needs and chooses to activate it, it provides information on the person's location that can be given in the form of three words to police, fire and ambulance who would use that information to locate the person.
Anyone with the app can provide the word location, even while offline, to a 911 operator so the appropriate service can be dispatched.
“The city is supportive of the what3words app,” said Colleen Clack-Bush, deputy CAO for public services, in a news release announcing it will be used by police. “Guelph Fire and Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service support the use of the app to help build a safer future for our community by using innovative technology to respond to emergencies, no matter where that happens to be.”
The app doesn’t require data as long as it has been previously downloaded. Opening it will provide the current location even without a cell signal.
“It can’t operate independently. Sharing the location, using the three words, has to be done by the user of the phone,” said Guelph police spokesperson Scott Tracey. “Police can’t ping a phone using this app or anything like that. It really does require the user of the app to share the information to be able to figure out where the person is.”
If someone doesn’t have the app on their phone, a police communicator can text them a link to a what3words online map. By clicking the link, the caller’s word address will appear (provided they have location services enabled on their phone).
Guelph police phones will have the app installed, so once responding officers have the three-word address they can say it or type it into the app to be directed straight to the caller, the news release explains.
“We’re always trying to adopt whatever technology offers the best service and the most favourable outcome,” Tracey said. “Although use of it here in Guelph would not be maybe as extensive as it would be in a place with large forested areas or rural communities, it’s certainly something that from time to time could be of use in Guelph in locating people faster.”
It could be particularly useful for people who need assistance in the city’s larger parks or along the river, Tracey added.
Guelph residents are being encouraged to download the app and become familiar with how it works, said Tracey. To that end, a contest is expected to be announced next week that aims to have people using the app to win prizes.