Preparing for Emergencies
Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours. If a disaster happens in our community, it may take emergency workers some time to get to you as they help those in desperate need. By taking a few simple steps today, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies.
Here are some tips on preparing for an emergency.
Be sure to consider any special accommodations that may need to be made for family pets, and/or yourself or a loved one with a disability.
What3Words
Emergency services providers in are encouraging people to download the what3words app, which uses an innovative grid-based address system to help first responders pinpoint a caller’s exact location and reach them with minimal delay.
what3words is being adopted by emergency services around the world as a tool to dispatch first responders to the precise location of a caller in need of help. 9-1-1 callers simply give their what3words address from the app, and first responders will immediately be dispatched to their exact location. Every 3-metre square in the world has been given a unique combination of three words: a what3words address that never changes.
The app works both on- and offline, with the offline functionality making it ideal for use in rural areas that might have a poor internet connection, such as remote nature areas that are enjoyed by hikers and tourists. All the app requires to display a what3words address is a GPS signal, with a phone’s location services switched on and a clear line of sight to the sky for a GPS lock.
The free what3words app can be downloaded from app stores for iOS and Android.