Learn More: https://www.northbaypolice.ca/community-safety/wha...

The North Bay Police Service (NBPS) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North Bay are now both using the What3Words app as a tool to help locate lost or missing individuals, including hikers, snowshoers, sledders, and anyone venturing out on trails or into remote areas. OPP North Bay has been successfully using the app, and NBPS has now adopted it to further expand the program.

"What3Words is a simple tool that can make a big difference in emergency situations," said A/Deputy Warner, of the North Bay Police Service. "Response time is critical in emergencies, and if we can locate people quicker, it can be life-saving when someone is lost or in danger in a remote area."

Dispatchers often face challenges pinpointing a caller’s exact location, particularly in emergencies where there is no street address or obvious landmark. Knowing a person’s precise location can be critical, especially when they are off the beaten path.

What3Words assigns a unique combination of three words to every 3-metre square in the world. By providing these three words during a call, individuals can communicate their exact location instantly, helping emergency services reach them faster.

“The OPP has seen firsthand how the What3Words app helps locate people quickly in moments of distress,” said Cst. Kyler Brouwer, Community Engagement / Media Relations Officer of the OPP North Bay. “Giving dispatchers your three-word address provides an exact location and allows emergency responders to get to you as fast as possible.”

The app is free to download and easy to use. To learn more about how to use What3Words, visit: https://what3words.com/how-to-use-the-what3words-app

Both NBPS and OPP North Bay encourage everyone heading outdoors to download the app and familiarize themselves with it before going on trails or into remote areas.