Now that it is summer and restrictions are being lifted all across the country, larger events, both outdoors AND indoors are being scheduled to take place. After a year of being required to meet in small groups and restrictions that blocked the ability of larger gatherings to take place… people are itching to go back to their favorite summer festivities. Due to the excitement, events could get out of hand and large safety and security concerns may arise. How do you protect your guests from such concerns? The best practice is to have a comprehensive and collaborative security plan in place
Securing an event requires more than hiring security officers to be placed around a venue. Do not get us wrong, having on-site security is incredibly important as there are the people who will defuse safety issues and provide a feeling of safety to event-goers. Additionally, just seeing a large amount of security personnel may be enough to keep individuals from acting in an unsafe manner.
Having a proper security plan can ensure:
- Attendees do not experience injury
- The venue is not damaged
- Crowds do not get out of control
What goes into a successful security plan?
- Know the venue like the back of your hand: When assessing a venue, find any areas that a person may enter. This includes both main entry points and “pores” in the venue where someone can sneak in. All security personnel should be aware of these points and keep a close eye on them to prevent unwanted guests. Additionally, all entry and exit points should be clearly marked and known. An easy way to keep track of all these points is to create a diagram of the venue and mark each point of concern. These diagrams can be copied and disseminated to each security officer to ensure no point is forgotten.`
- Do a comprehensive risk assessment: At Evans Brothers Consulting, there is nothing that we stress more than planning and attempting to foresee the unpredictable. Create a list of all possible things that could go wrong, no matter how unlikely they may be, and create a response plan for each issue. This way, when disaster strikes, you and your staff will be ready to respond quickly and efficiently.
- Get ready to crowd control: The bigger the group, the more things that can go wrong. Your security staff should be ready to ask crowds to move away from exits to keep them from being blocked, ensure guests do not wander into staff-only areas and just have a general handle on the large group.
- Assess the risk of a large-scale threat: Unfortunately, in today’s day and age large gatherings are a frequent and easy target for large attacks. Bags of attendees should be checked for weapons, chemicals, or other objects that could cause harm, and security personnel and all other event staff should be on the lookout at all times for abnormal behavior. This could include staring at security, stalking, surveying the venue, or having a general disinterest in the purpose of the event.
- Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.: Above everything else, your team should be coordinated and in constant communication. Make sure, before the event, a strong communication system is in place AND well-functioning to make sure everyone is on the same page and up to date during the event.
Are you and your business planning a summer event? Evans Brothers Consulting has over 70 years of combined experience and has been involved in the planning of events such as the Boston Marathon, the Patriots’ Parade Celebration, all Boston sports teams’ parades and celebrations, and political conventions.
Take the initiative today and contact info@evansbrothersconsuling.com or call 617-545-1500 to set up a short, no-cost, preliminary discussion.
No one knows Boston like the Evans Brothers.