Calling 000

Mike Harding · Guru

Calling 000

Tony LEE · Guru

Three words isn't universal whereas coordinates are.

rgren2 · Guru

Three first words are, police, fire or ambulance.

Mike Harding · Guru

Tony LEE wrote:
Three words isn't universal whereas coordinates are.

I know exactly where you are coming from Tony and I largely agree but
the trouble is the (vast?) majority of people have no idea about map
reading, coordinate systems, map dautms and the like. I suppose "What
Three Words" is like a translation programme for them.

Given that these are often life or death situations with very
stressed people I guess we simply use any tools we can.

TravellerBob · Veteran Member

Here is a link to the ACMA site covering Emergency Calls.

www.acma.gov.au/emergency-calls~:text=You%20can%20call%20000%20from,certain%20VoIP%20and%20satellite%20services.&text=One%20advantage%20of%20using%20the,give%20emergency%20services%20your%20location.

Scroll down to the
Types of phone services you can use

They advise that you install the Emergency + app and to call 000 via this app. They will they be able to locate you by the phones gps.

dabbler · Guru

Emergency+ app as Travellerbob mentions. Of course, 000 still works but Emergency+ exists specifically for use in Australia and use the features if a modern mobili phone. You still need to read and repeat the GPS coordinates to an operator as the technology to remotely read your phone isn't implemented in Australia yet. It isn't a matter of whether the other apps work, it's whether anyone using your phone to assist people in need. Use the methods approved by the agencies that will provide aid to you.

dabbler · Guru

Forgot to add. Emergency+ is a single screen app that displays the instructions "Tell the operator your location" along with a small map, GPS coord and an address. It doesn't matter if you know what it means, just repeat the info displayed. I'm sure the operator would walk a caller through the process.

JeffRae · Guru

"marginal mobile coverage from which voice calls are next to impossible"

Maybe have a PLB for use in these situations. These may also have trouble sending a signal dependent on where you are located e.g in a valley

beacons.amsa.gov.au/about/beacon-types.asp

markf · Senior Member

I'm of the opinion that anything that requires human interaction is risky - the danger is that the message may get a bit garbled.

In dire circumstances a PLB is the way to go I think.

If you can call 000 either by sat phone or mobile you then have the problem of describing exactly where you are and what the problem is. The tech non savvy among us could easily stuff up getting the info from a phone or GPS and the like. Much better to be able to turn the device on and know that the message has been sent and will be received and will be treated with the utmost urgency.

I've written a bit about communications here funnily enough under "Communications".

dabbler · Guru

The thread is specifically about 000 not emergency communication in general. If you're remote and away from mobile coverage, a PLB is extremely valuable no question. If you like most people and never travel in remote areas, never go outside mobile coverage, never leave major highways and never leave the blacktop, you're unlikely to carry a PLB. Emergency+ uses advanced technology by past standards but it isn't technically difficult to use. If you can use a phone and dial 000, you can use Emergency+. Planning for emergencies needs to consider who is likely to make contact, whether they can find your own and recognize emergency gear (including PLB, EPIRB, First Aid kits). Every one knows Triple Zero exists, they should also know about Emergency+. The more resources the better but the new basic is Emergency+ and I'm not sure why anyone would choose not have Emergency+ installed.

dogbox · Guru

dabbler wrote:

The thread is specifically about 000 not emergency communication in general. If you're remote and away from mobile coverage, a PLB is extremely valuable no question. If you like most people and never travel in remote areas, never go outside mobile coverage, never leave major highways and never leave the blacktop, you're unlikely to carry a PLB. Emergency+ uses advanced technology by past standards but it isn't technically difficult to use. If you can use a phone and dial 000, you can use Emergency+. Planning for emergencies needs to consider who is likely to make contact, whether they can find your own and recognize emergency gear (including PLB, EPIRB, First Aid kits). Every one knows Triple Zero exists, they should also know about Emergency+. The more resources the better but the new basic is Emergency+ and I'm not sure why anyone would choose not have Emergency+ installed.

i for one have never heard of it before

dabbler · Guru

That's understandable dogbox as it's a recent development, created specifically for Australia by Australian agencies. It's free to download and use. https://emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/

Mamil · Senior Member

After reading the above I searched for the "Emergency+" app only to be find it's Apple only. However, the Google Play store has something called "Emergency Plus" but it has a different logo and uses what3words "The app uses a mobile phones GPS functionality and what3words, so callers can provide emergency call-takers with their location information as determined by their smart phone." Are Emergency+ and Emergency Plus one and the same thing but just for different phone operating systems? Thanks.

Edit: OK can answer my own question now...

I downloaded "Emergency Plus" for Android and when I open it on my phone it actually appears as "Emergency+" so yes it's the same thing just named slightly differently (confusingly).

-- Edited by Mamil on Tuesday 29th of September 2020 10:33:43 PM

Izabarack · Guru

I have used Emergency + three times and it worked as advertised. I was introduced to the App during the last First Aid refresher course and it was recommended by a current working Paramedic. The App is simple enough that the six year old GGdaughter can use it.

Iza

Mike Harding · Guru

Thanks guys, the question is answered.

The "Emergency+" app:

https://emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/

uses "What Three Words" so, clearly, 000 operators must be able to handle location information in that format.

Magnarc · Guru

I had not heard of this app. Mike you have just got some brownie points for raising the topic, anything that can save a life in extreme cases, has got to be worthwhile. To me this is just another feather in the caps of contributors to this forum. Thanks to all who commented on this thread. App is now installed on our phones.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

Have a Sat. phone, and Spot gen 11, but don't have the permanent government tracked mobile phone and never will.

oldbloke · Guru

I believe in the near future they will have the GPS coordinates of your mobile come up on a screen as soon as they accept the call.

dabbler · Guru

The system proposed for the transmission of your GPS coordinates automatically when emergency numbers are dialled in Australia is called Advanced Mobile Location or AML. Almost every version Android is capable of AML (or ELS as Google call it) and iPhones that support updates after 2018. The switch-on date was June apparently but they haven't really publicized the fact. Maybe Covid-19 got on the way. It's already used in NZ, US and widely used in Europe where it was developed. It still a shame it wasn't a major announcement and repeatedly reported.

oldbloke · Guru

More info here. But a bit out of of date.

www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-15/what-happens-when-there-is-an-accidental-triple-zero-call/10494444

Xtrk138 · Member

Mike Harding wrote:
Thanks guys, the question is answered.
The "Emergency+" app:
https://emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/
uses "What Three Words" so, clearly, 000 operators must be able to handle location information in that format.

I must be missing something here. I have the Emergency+ app and have just looked at the website linked above, but can find no mention of 'what three words".

Brian????

Mike Harding · Guru

Xtrk138 wrote:
I must be missing something here. I have the Emergency+ app and have just looked at the website linked above, but can find no mention of 'what three words".

Go here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threesixtyentertainment.nesn&hl=en_AU

Click on "Read more" and it's mentioned in the final two paragraphs.

Tony LEE · Guru

Hmmmm, my copy of emergency + uses coordinates and seems to have no obvious way to use my three words.

The read more might mention my three words but gives no information on what to do to enable itn

Ah, perhaps that is because I don't have a separate app installed to provide the three words. No point really is there?

-- Edited by Tony LEE on Friday 2nd of October 2020 11:31:41 AM

-- Edited by Tony LEE on Friday 2nd of October 2020 11:33:30 AM

Xtrk138 · Member

Mine too Tony. The Apple app does not appear to have this 'function' for some reason.

Brian

Dougwe · Chief one feather

The only three words I can think of using are,

Police

Ambulance

Fire

If I am wrong it's because I'm just an old pensioned off Indian Chief.

That's my excuse anyway.

Mike Harding · Guru

Tony LEE wrote:
Hmmmm, my copy of emergency + uses coordinates and seems to have no obvious way to use my three words.

I suspect (and hope) the Emergency+ developers have licenced the main
code and the word database from the "What Three Words" people and
incorporated it into their own code.

Emergency systems should be as simple as possible and asking users to
install two apps. is bound to cause confusion. Additionally it's a
sure bet half the users would delete W3W in six months when they have
forgotten why they have it.

Tony LEE · Guru

Mine is the Android version and there are no updates available and still no my three words, so let us know how you get on. One I have had installed for a couple of years is called emergency call and has similar info for most countries in the world.

dabbler · Guru

I'm not sure of the part what three words plays in using Emergency+ either. It's mentioned so must have a purpose and I'm not dwelling on the fact it's hidden from view given the app's purpose and creators.

Mike Harding · Guru

Hi Dabbler

Yesssss... having done some follow-up I'm a bit unhappy about this.

Watch this space; I have a busy few days coming up (women, well one anyway) but I shall revisit this. My initial thoughts are that the "Emergency+" app is, how can I say?, less than perfect (I must be in a good mood).

dabbler · Guru

Not sure why you think it less than perfect. It does exactly what is required. It has access to the recognized emergency services number plus numbers for critical services,, displays your current location plus map and identifies the address if possible. Maybe if location identifers fail, what three words is displayed. My RACQ app does the same thing but is specific to member services. I have less tech savvy friends and rellies that use GPS in vehicles, can read a map and know Triple-zero since childhood. This app offers familiar pathways to getting assistance whereas a three word phrase (in English ? another issue) is alien in nature and could be confusing. What three words is a great idea but it's also unnecessary with our current mobile devices.