Three-word addresses as new localization system for emergency medical services (EMS). Empirical study in an EMS service area in Bavaria

Background: Answering emergency calls, integrated dispatch centers (ILS) often receive the caller's geocoordinates thanks to systems such as E-Call or Advanced Mobile Location (AML). However, these are difficult to communicate to the emergency responders without a data interface. The software what3words (w3w) shortens geocoordinates to so-called three-word addresses, which can be easily passed on to emergency services. The present study investigates which system is used for which type of emergency scenes and how often it is used. Methods: The study is based on data from 201 operations during a 7-month pilot project of the ambulance services in the region of the ILS Ingolstadt. The associated three-word addresses were retrospectively examined manually with digital map material and classified with regard to their spatial location. Subsequently, a quantitative evaluation of this classification and the frequency of use of the system was performed. Results: The evaluation shows that w3w was used almost equally inside and outside of urban areas. The cases were divided into 18 classes and subclasses. In rural areas the system was mostly used for operations on country and rural roads, while in urban areas it was used particularly frequently on streets, at sports facilities or in parks. There was an average of 0.97 uses per day, representing 0.48% of all ambulance service uses during the study period. Conclusion: According to the authors, the regular use of w3w demonstrates the usefulness of easy-to-communicate geocoordinate systems, especially for deployment sites that are not located at a home or business address. Implementation can be a helpful addition to the toolbox of dispatch centers and emergency responders.