The Tshwane Emergency Services Department has partnered with the location technology application What3Words to improve emergency response times and help firefighters and rescue personnel locate callers more accurately.

The app is expected to play a crucial role in communities where formal street addresses, landmarks or road signage are limited or difficult to identify.

Spokesperson Deputy Chief Nana Radebe-Kgiba said the system has officially been introduced as part of the metro’s emergency response operations.

“What3Words provides a simple solution to the challenge of locating people who are distressed at a time when they are not in an area where there are clear locations,” she said.

The system works by dividing the world into small 3m by 3m squares, with each square assigned a unique combination of three words, known as a What3Words address.

Radebe-Kgiba explained that this allows callers to quickly and accurately communicate their exact location to emergency operators.

“This allows anyone, anywhere, to communicate their exact location using only three words. The system will be especially beneficial in areas such as Bronkhorstspruit, Hammanskraal, Winterveldt, informal settlements, and other communities where formal addresses may be limited or difficult to identify,” she explained.

She said instead of trying to describe nearby landmarks or roads during a stressful emergency situation, callers can simply provide their three-word address.

“For example, instead of saying ‘I’m near Molotlegi Road off the M17’, a caller can provide a three-word address such as ‘bring.footwork.buttercups’, enabling the Emergency Services Call Centre to pinpoint the exact location immediately,” said Radebe-Kgiba.

Residents can download the free What3Words app from the App Store or Google Play Store. The app is available in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, and isiXhosa, making it accessible to a broader range of users.

During an emergency, callers can open the app, identify their location’s three-word address and relay it to the 107 Emergency Call Centre operator.

The system then allows emergency personnel to load the precise location directly onto the dispatch map, helping firefighters and rescue teams navigate straight to the scene and potentially reducing response times.

Radebe-Kgiba added that one of the app’s key advantages is its ability to function offline.

“Importantly, the What3Words app can work offline, meaning callers can still identify their location without mobile data or Wi-Fi connectivity,” she said.

She explained that if a caller does not have the app installed, emergency operators can send an SMS containing a secure link that will generate the caller’s three-word location.

“Once opened, the link displays the caller’s three-word address, which can then be read back to the operator,” she said.

Radebe-Kgiba encouraged residents to familiarise themselves with the system before emergencies occur.

“Emergencies can occur anywhere and at any time, and having quick access to an accurate location can save valuable time and potentially save lives,” she said.

“The Emergency Services Department remains committed to embracing innovative technology solutions that strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve public safety across the City of Tshwane.”

Residents can report fire or rescue emergencies by calling 107 toll-free from a landline or 012 358 6300/6400.

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