As the Met Office confirms last month was the driest May on record, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) is urging the public to download the free what3words app, whilst remaining particularly vigilant during the warmer weather.

If a caller witnesses a fire, and is unable to describe precisely where it is, they can provide their what3words address, which is accurate to 3m.

Up and down the country fire services are urging the public to be particularly careful during the current hot weather after an increase in the number of grass fires, many of which are believed to have been caused by the improper use of barbecues and camp fires left - often in rural locations or large open spaces like parks, where it's difficult to describe exactly where they are. This coincides with an increase in people flocking to the countryside, beaches and beauty spots, which are often-off-the-beaten-track and have no address. As the ground is exceptionally dry, fires are starting more easily and spreading faster.

what3words, available on both iOS and Android devices, has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and labelled each one with three dictionary words: a what3words address.

Our fire control room has an emergency location feature which allows the control room staff to send an SMS text message to a caller’s mobile phone, which once accepted will display their what3words location, allowing them to pass this back to the control staff.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager, Phil Revill, said: “As the weather begins to get warmer we often see a rise in incidents. It is sometimes difficult to get an accurate location for these incidents and what3words is a great tool to assist the Service in providing a swift response. It also is brilliant for commuters who witness a road traffic collision but don’t know the exact road name or the stretch of motorway they are on.”

Chris Sheldrick, CEO of what3words adds, ‘In an emergency, every second is crucial. Time wasted trying to explain where a fire is -  whilst it is spreading rapidly - endangers the people around it, causes extensive damage to our natural environment and take-crews away from other life-threatening emergency call-outs. By having what3words to hand, the public is able to say precisely where they are in a matter of seconds.’

what3words is used by over 75% of emergency services across the UK, with thousands of callers having provided a what3words address last year during a 999 call.