How to Ensure Safety at a Large-Scale Event

Every time large amounts of people gather in one place, there’s a looming security threat that shouldn’t be ignored. Catastrophes like the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the Bataclan in Paris, etc., have made it obvious that large events need to place security at the top of the list. Large-scale event security requires careful planning and coordination. There’s much that goes into ensuring safety throughout.

HSPS Special Operations provide professional private security services like crowd control and more at large-scale events. Here’s what our professionals recommend you do for event security.

Do a Risk Assessment

The first step of large-scale event security is to carry out a risk assessment and identify potential risks. This includes assessing the venue, what the event is, and the audience.

· The Venue

Find any potential problems that may happen because of the venue design. For instance, does the venue have space where people can pile up? If yes, you’ll need to invest in crowd control. Similarly, see if there are any slipping hazards, steep staircases, etc.

· The Event

Identify any risk that can occur because of the type of event being hosted. Some entertainers can draw in rowdy crowds. Take the Astroworld concert, for instance, which is now among the deadliest concerts in US history.

· The Audience

Will the attendees be well-behaved, or is there an attendee or a group that may require executive protection service?  

Implement Security Measures

Once your assessment is complete, you should work on implementing various security measures, including:

1. Physical security, such as using private security officers, metal detectors, and barriers to control access to the event.
2. Emergency management, such as the development of evacuation plans and the presence of emergency medical personnel.
3. Background checks on employees and vendors.
4. Crowd control measures, such as using barricades and security personnel to manage the flow of attendees.
5. Surveillance, such as the use of CCTV cameras and license plate recognition systems.

Consider Cyber Threats

Cybercrimes are on the rise. In 2022, there were $6 trillion in damages from cyberattacks. Cyber attacks can disrupt event operations and cause financial loss, which is why there must be cyber security measures. They can help minimize the impact of such attacks and ensure the continuity of the event. Large-scale event security should include a firewall to control access to the network, encryption to protect sensitive information, and a VPN so attendees, vendors, and employees can connect securely to the network.

Create An Emergency Plan

Despite taking every security measure known to man, it’s still possible you may run into trouble, which is why you need an emergency plan. Create procedures for responding to different types of emergencies, such as evacuation plans and procedures for dealing with medical emergencies. Once a plan has been made, communicate it to all relevant personnel, and conduct emergency drills with them. Lastly, establish communication systems that can be used to contact emergency services and communicate with event personnel during an emergency.

Hire Trained Professionals For Event Safety

A large-scale event requires security to match. At HSPS Special Operations, we believe that trained and experienced individuals can only offer the best security. We are a professional security firm employing off-duty officers and law enforcement. Protect your event and ensure safety throughout with the help of our professionals. We’ll help with everything, from crowd control to executive protection!

Get in touch with us to get professional private security for your next event.