CENTRAL MAINE • November 20, 2025
About six months ago, several of Newry’s 11 volunteer firefighters downloaded the What3Words app. The free geocoding program divides the world into 10-by-10-foot squares and assigns each one a unique three-word address. Traditional addresses or landmarks often don’t exist in rural areas, making it difficult for rescuers to find people. Using the app is simple: a lost or injured hiker taps the “Locate Me” icon, and the three-word address appears at the top of the screen. They read the words to the emergency call taker. This year, Newry firefighters have rescued five or six people on the 50 miles of trail in the Mahoosuc Range. The tool has its limits. Location accuracy can vary depending on the hiker’s phone carrier.