New 'what3words' Technology Aids Mountain Biker Rescue in Orange County

New Emergency Response Technology

• 💡 Orange County Sheriff's Deputies are using a new system called Prepared 911 to assist in emergency situations.
• 📞 This technology allows 911 operators to send a link to individuals in distress, enabling them to grant access to their phone's camera and GPS location.

'what3words' for Precise Location

• 📍 A key component of the system is the what3words app, which divides the globe into 3x3 meter squares, each assigned a unique three-word name.
• 🗺️ When a bicyclist named Jay Doyle became lost in the hills, the Prepared 911 link provided his location via what3words, allowing rescuers to pinpoint him.
• 🆘 This was the first real-world use of this specific technology for a rescue operation in the area.

Rescue and Future Applications

• 👏 Jay Doyle was successfully rescued with the help of the Orange County Fire Authority, and he is reported to be doing well.
• ✨ Officials are optimistic about the potential of this technology to aid future rescue efforts by providing accurate location data even without camera functionality.