10/24/2026
📍 **THREE WORDS THAT COULD HELP FIRST RESPONDERS FIND YOU.**
Imagine you're hiking in the woods, spending the day at the beach, or walking through an unfamiliar area when an emergency happens. You call 911, but there's one problem: you don't know exactly where you are.
That's where **what3words** can help.
The free app divides the entire world into approximately 10-foot-by-10-foot squares. Each square has its own unique combination of three words, creating a precise location reference even where traditional street addresses don't exist.
🚨 **WHAT ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS?**
The Massachusetts State 911 Department recognizes what3words as a supplemental location tool for emergency dispatchers. Participating public safety agencies across the Commonwealth can use three-word addresses to help identify locations that might otherwise be difficult to describe.
And Massachusetts isn't alone! Participating emergency response agencies can also be found in states including New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, New York, California, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and Virginia, among many others.
Availability varies by dispatch center, so don't assume every 911 operator uses the system.
📱 **HOW DOES IT WORK?**
1. Download the free what3words app.
2. Open it and tap the location icon.
3. Wait for your location to stabilize.
4. Find your three-word address, displayed as ///word.word.word.
5. In an emergency, call 911 first and ask whether the dispatcher can use your what3words location.
💡 **IT'S NOT JUST FOR EMERGENCIES!**
Think about all the times a regular address isn't quite enough:
🥾 **Hiking and camping:** Save trailheads, campsites, and meeting locations.
🏖️ **Beaches and parks:** Help friends find your exact spot rather than searching an entire beach.
🚗 **Parking:** Save the location of your car at a concert, festival, or large parking area.
🎓 **College campuses:** Identify a specific building entrance or outdoor meeting point.
📦 **Deliveries:** Help drivers locate a particular entrance or drop-off point.
🎪 **Events and festivals:** Share an exact meeting spot in a crowded venue.
♿ **Accessibility:** Identify accessible entrances that may be different from a building's main entrance.
**One particularly helpful feature:** The app can identify your three-word location using GPS even without cellular data, although you still need a working connection to call or text emergency services.
⚠️ **IMPORTANT:** what3words does not contact 911 automatically, and GPS accuracy can vary. Always call 911 first, provide as much location information as possible, and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
Sometimes an address isn't enough. Three words might help narrow down exactly where you need someone to go.
**Download it, explore it, and share this information.**
🔗 what3words.com
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