Bruce County is urging hikers to download an app on their phone which would share their precise location with emergency responders.
What3Words is a free app that will communicate your precise location to a 9-1-1 call centre by telling them your ‘What3Words address’.
That address is a unique combination of three words that identify a 3-metre by 3-metre location.
The app can also be used offline, which is helpful on some of Bruce County's more remote trail locations where connectivity may be a challenge. If someone gets turned around while exploring Bruce County's extensive trail systems, or twists an ankle, the What3Words app will provide an exact location to emergency responders so they can guide you or locate you and bring you to a safe location.
The creators of the app divided the world into 3 metre squares and gave each square a unique combination of three words. It’s the easiest way to find and share exact locations.
"In an emergency, identifying exactly where help is needed is critical to getting resources there quickly. This can be difficult if you’re in a remote area with no street address, no obvious landmarks, or on an unnamed trail. With the What3Words app, you can provide first responders with a unique set of three words that will exactly pinpoint your location, helping them get to you more efficiently," said Ray Lux, Bruce County Emergency Management Coordinator.