By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The first information an emergency dispatcher asks for is location. Occasionally, that can be a really difficult question to answer. Geolocation technology has made huge strides in recent years, but Barton County dispatchers now have one more tool to help those who cannot provide their location. Communications Director Dena Popp said the state of Kansas launched the what3words app campaign last week, to make the public aware of a new feature to help dispatchers locate callers in an emergency.
"Basically, the company has divided the world into a grid of 10-foot by 10-foot squares," she said. "They've given each square a unique combination of three random words. That means that even if you're in the middle of the ocean, you can still get those three words and 911 can still pinpoint you."
Barton County Communications already uses RapidDeploy software that can pinpoint most mobile devices within 30-45 seconds. “The what3words app is a backup tool that can be used when RapidDeploy fails to work, or if the mobile device is not submitting a strong enough signal,” said Supervisor Tim McQuade.
The three words are automatically displayed on the dispatcher's RapidDeploy screen, but can also be viewed on a phone so the caller can communicate them to dispatchers. The technology can also be used with friends and family to pinpoint locations.
The what3words app is free to download on iOS or Android devices. It does not store data and can work offline, meaning it works in even the most remote of areas. The technology is available in 54 languages to date, including Spanish, and can be used anywhere in the world.