NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
*************************
The what3words app and our quick-thinking 911 communicators helped officers locate a Bradford man who got lost while hiking.
On Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the South Simcoe Police Service was called by a 46-year-old Bradford man who was lost in Scanlon Creek Conservation Area on Line 9 in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. It was cold, dark, and the man’s phone was very close to losing battery power. The quick-thinking communicator wasted no time in guiding the man through the process of downloading the what3words geolocation app to his phone, and then he provided the three unique words for his location. He was also instructed to remain in place, which turned out to be important as his phone went dead shortly after.
Officers searched for the man with the assistance of the Barrie police K9 and Tactical units, who deployed their drone to search from the sky. Communicators provided invaluable assistance co-ordinating the search efforts, and in just over one hour, officers located the man and brought him to safety. The grateful hiker did not require medical attention and praised our 911 communicator for helping him download the app and keeping him calm.
Clear, concise communication is paramount during a call like this. We’d like to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to the first first responders in our police service. Our quick-thinking, compassionate, skilled 911 communicators make a difference in the lives of others every day and helped ensure there was a safe resolution to this incident.
In an emergency situation, the what3words geolocating app will help communicators pinpoint the caller’s whereabouts so that officers can quickly respond to where help is needed. The app is to be used when a street address is unavailable. A municipal address is still the best way to ensure a quick response. Every three-metre square in the world has been given a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. The system can be used via the free app for both iOS and Android or via the online map at what3words.com and is available in over 40 languages. The app works offline, making it ideal for use in the rural areas of Canada that might have a poor or unreliable internet connection.
*************************
