Imagine this: You’re trying to reach a stranded hiker who says they’re “off the blue trail near the big hill.” Or someone panicked in a mobile home park where all the units look the same, and they don’t know the lot number. Now imagine the difference if they could say, “rescue.gasp.shirt”—and within seconds, you knew exactly where to go.
As firefighters and paramedics, we know that every minute counts. But too often, we waste them navigating vague directions, outdated address maps, or confusing call info. What3Words changes that. And not enough people know about it.
What is What3Words?
What3Words is a global addressing system that divides the entire planet into 3-meter by 3-meter squares and assigns each square a unique three-word combination. Instead of trying to describe a hard-to-reach or non-traditional address, you can just say three words—and be located precisely.
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Simple: No need for GPS coordinates or traditional street addresses.
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Precise: It identifies a location accurate to a 10-foot square.
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Offline Capable: It works without a data connection once downloaded.
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Language-Neutral: Works globally, regardless of street naming conventions.
Real-World Emergency Uses
This isn’t a tech gimmick—it saves lives.
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A motorist trapped down a highway embankment with no mile markers.
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A hiker who fell and broke their leg deep in the woods.
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A flood survivor stranded on a rooftop, unable to describe their street.
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A confused caller in a mobile home park is unsure of their exact lot number.
In every one of these scenarios, What3Words eliminates the guesswork and gets help on the way faster.
How to Download and Use What3Words
Step 1: Download the App
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For iPhone: Open the App Store, search for “What3Words,” and download it.
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For Android: Go to the Google Play Store, search “What3Words,” and install it.
Step 2: Allow Location Access When prompted, allow the app to access your location. This is how it identifies the three-word address where you’re standing.
Step 3: Learn Your Location. Open the app. It will show a map and place a square over your current location. You’ll see three words displayed—something like candle.sports.sharp.
Step 4: Share Your Location Tap the three words and hit the Share icon. You can send it by text, email, or read it aloud to a 911 dispatcher.
Example: “My location is ‘fence.hammer.drift.’”
Bonus Tips:
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Practice using it at home, work, or while traveling.
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Save important three-word addresses in your contacts (ex: your cabin, family property, or a common trailhead).
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If you’re a fire officer, add it to your pre-planning toolkit.
Why First Responders Should Care
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Pinpoint Accuracy: Down to a 10-foot square, every time.
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Universal Language: Eliminates confusion over similar addresses or misspelled streets.
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Offline Capable: Works in the middle of nowhere or when cell data is out.
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Improves Mutual Aid Efficiency: Helps outside agencies locate scenes faster.
Barriers to Adoption
Despite its usefulness, What3Words is still underutilized.
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Many 911 centers aren’t trained to ask for it.
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Most people haven’t heard of it—or only think to use it after the fact.
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Fire/EMS/public safety outreach materials rarely mention it.
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Agencies can be slow to adopt new tech tools, especially free ones.
What We Can Do About It
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Promote it during Fire Prevention Week and public outreach events.
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Train responders and dispatchers on how to receive and use What3Words.
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Include it in department SOPs and pre-planning, especially for wildland and rural rescue.
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Get it in the hands of the public before they need it.
Call to Action
If you’re reading this, take one minute to download the What3Words app. Teach it to your family. Talk about it at your next department drill. Include it in your emergency planning documents. You don’t need to be tech-savvy—you just need to be ready.
Because when we can find you faster, we can help you faster.
Thank you for reading this week’s installment of Behind The Alarm! Check back next week as we tackle another topic from behind the alarm. Have questions or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you!
This article first appeared in Behind The Alarm, the newsletter of Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic of the Stronach Township Fire Department, on July 21, 2025. Read the original.