Three unique words that correspond with a grid of 3×3 meter squares can change the way emergency services locate patients. This has been made possible by a partnership between ER24 and the unique location app what3words.
The partnership was announced on the 19th of August in a press release.
“We’ve created a system that replaced traditional street addresses,” explains Lyndsey Duff, the operations manager for what3words’s South African branch.
“It’s a human-friendly GPS,” she says.
The app, originally designed in the United Kingdom (UK), aims to provide users with a more effective way to get their exact location as well as the ability to pass this information on to others.
“The whole world has been divided into 3×3 meter squares, and we’ve given every one of those squares a unique three-word identifier,” says Duff. “There are a total of 57 trillion squares.”
These three-word identifiers are extremely useful for emergency services in South Africa.
“It’s impossible for ambulance crews to navigate informal settlements in South Africa and rural areas. The chances of you getting help decrease drastically when you are in such an area,” Duff explains.
“We have unique challenges in South Africa when it comes to addresses and therefore found that what3words is a perfect solution to bridge that gap,” says Werner Vermaak, the corporate communications manager at ER24.
The what3words app uses a unique combination of three different words to provide an exact location, in this case, a road in Upington. ER24 has partnered with what3words to help locate patients more easily. Photo: Supplied
What3words works without data and only requires a once-off download.
“We wanted something that can work offline because every single square already has a three-word address, it never has to be updated,” Duff explains.
The app is also very user-friendly and has received several positive reviews and feedback on the GooglePlay store.
One user told MatieMedia about her experience with the app.
“It’s very useful because it doesn’t just take you to the building or general area, but to where in that building you are,” says AJ Timberlake (22).
“I like that you can use it immediately upon downloading, so you can download and use it if you’re stuck in a situation,” she adds.
While the app is very user-friendly, the process gets a bit more technical on ER24’s side.
“We integrate the API protocol into our Computerised Aided Dispatch system in our national emergency contact centre,” Vermaak explains.
The ER24 resource officers in Johannesburg spent time training and testing the app before it was integrated. According to Vermaak there are currently plans to launch a campaign later in the year to incorporate other emergency service providers.
“We are very happy with the app and had no issues. It is easy to use and very accurate,” he says.
The app is available in 36 global languages, including Afrikaans, isiZulu and Xhosa.
The three unique words per square were assigned by an algorithm based on the list of words provided by the what3words team.
The words on the list were not randomly selected.
“We use groups of language consultants,” Duff says, “we brought on between 40 and 70 language speakers (for each language), and they help us to craft the best words for that language.”
The South African branch has been operational for the last two years and has partnered with various organisations that require a location system. According to Duff, among these have been the iStore, the Automobile Association of South Africa and the 2019 Platters wine guide.
“Our long-term goal is to have it accepted as a legal address system in South Africa,” Duff replies when asked about the future goals for the app.