TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — A new initiative is making it easier for first responders in Pike County to locate those in need; it’s called What3words.
“It’s just one more way to keep students a little bit safer,” said George Beaudry, Chief of Police at the Troy University Police Department (TUPD).
What3words works by assigning a unique three-word combination to every 10 foot square area in the world. That way, responders know exactly where to go in the event of an emergency.
“If you don’t know what you’re doing or where you are, you’re able to still find yourself,” said Dylan Mauldin, GIS manager at Pike County Communications District. “You’re able to still tell people ‘Hey, I’m in trouble,’ and they can get to you from there.”
Steps to using What3words are as follows:
- Open the What3words app.
- Tap your current location.
- Read the three-word combination to the 911 operator.
TUPD and Pike County collaborated to adopt this system. Both organizations say it is a great benefit to the community, especially for students who may not be familiar with the area.
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“Anything that we can do to improve safety on and off campus just a little bit more, we’re going to take advantage of that,” Beaudry said.
The What3words app is free to use. In the case that someone doesn’t have the app, 911 can still send that three-word code to the person in need.
