Australia’s official public emergency services app now locates triple zero callers using the what3words addressing system.

Emergency+, Australia’s official public safety and emergency app, now features what3words integration to immediately locate callers.

The app is designed to help locate emergency callers who are unsure of their location, and its recent relaunch includes a suite of new features, giving users the option to send a what3words address, along with GPS coordinates or closest street address.

St John NT Emergency Communication Centre Manager Craig Garraway said that the 3x3m what3words locations were particularly useful in remote areas that may have few distinguishing features.

“Our Emergency Communications Centre staff have been using the app as another way to assist us with locating injured patients in the community. Earlier this year we used the technology to locate a patient who had fallen on a walking track in Alice Springs – it meant we could dispatch a paramedic via helicopter quickly and easily,” he said.

“It’s a valuable and simple tool for emergency services – particularly when locating patients in rural or remote areas. When we receive a Triple Zero (000) call, minutes and seconds can mean the difference between life and death and someone getting the care that they need as fast as possible, so anything that helps us do that is appreciated.”

The new Emergency+ app can be downloaded from the Apple app store and Google Play service.

Stay up to date by getting stories like this delivered to your mailbox.
Sign up to receive our free weekly Spatial Source newsletter.