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.