Implementing Proper Crowd Control at Your Festival
During FestForums 2023, it was discussed how “security” is no longer enough for festivals. Rather, there needs to be a shift to “security operations”, where event security is treated with just as much attention to detail as ticket sales and lineup creation. Ensuring the safety of festival-goers is crucial to the success of any event and why having a well-planned crowd control strategy is essential. Festival safety should be strategic, not reactive. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some effective crowd control strategies for festivals.
1. Design the layout of the festival grounds
Organizers should design the layout in such a way that it allows easy movement of people. The main stage should be placed at a central location, with ample paths leading to and from it that are wide enough for large amounts of traffic. The placement of vendors and other attractions should be spaced out to prevent congestion. Traffic inside of the event should be carefully tracked so that there can always be improvements done to decrease areas of congestion. By utilizing RFID wristbands, like those offered by Tap n Go, festivals can easily track crowd density and areas with high foot traffic in real time, allowing them to implement necessary changes quickly.
2. Use barriers and fencing
Barriers and fencing are an effective way to manage the flow of people at a festival. They can be used to create designated entry and exit points, as well as to create queues for popular attractions. One of our favorite ways to implement barriers is to coordinate with companies like OTW Safety who create lightweight barriers that are able to be branded to a festival’s unique vibe.
3. Train and hire security personnel
Security personnel play a critical role in crowd control at festivals. They should be trained to handle different scenarios that may arise, such as crowd surges, fights, and medical emergencies. They should also be trained to handle more life-threatening circumstances too. Security should be positioned in areas with the highest foot traffic, such as entrances, exits, and stages, and all should be briefed on where each of these are located as well.
4. Use signage and communication
Clear signage and communication are essential for effective crowd control. Signs can be used to indicate areas where smoking, drinking, and other activities are prohibited. They can also be used to guide festival-goers to different attractions and facilities. Implementing an app with emergency push notifications is a strong communication tactic for festivals of all sizes as well.
5. Manage the crowd at entry points
The entry points to the festival are the most critical areas for crowd control. Festival-goers should be subjected to thorough security checks to ensure that they are not carrying any prohibited items. Bag checks should be carried out in a way that doesn't impede the flow of people. To prevent long queues, organizers can use multiple entry points.
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