In light of the tragic outdoor concert shooting in Las Vegas, many concert planners are taking additional precautions when planning large events, both outdoors and indoors. But even small concerts need some kind of security plan to ensure the safety of concert goers, bands and event staff. Below are four things to consider when planning your next concert.
A safe concert event begins with undergoing a risk assessment, whether you hire a risk assessment company like Circadian Risk for a large event or simply create a safety checklist yourself in a notebook for a small gathering. Regardless of crowd and venue size, you still need to think about how to keep everyone safe.
The last thing you need is for somebody to get hurt at your concert. While most of the security focus will be on the crowd, it’s also important to ensure the safety of the musicians too.
Double check that all speaker cabinets and stands are set up properly to prevent equipment from falling. Make sure that the stage sections are all properly installed and secured to prevent gaps and trip hazards. This is just as important for small venues as large ones. Tiny stage platforms need beveled or padded edges and corners to prevent injuries. Sometimes it’s the little details that make all the difference.
Make sure that barricades around the press pit are padded and that no sharp edges exist. Security guards should also be stationed at key locations to prevent stage diving and harassment of performers. Emergency exits must be clearly marked and well lit.
Security begins out on the street. Large events will need traffic control in the parking lots to keep the flow of cars under control. You might even need to get a permit from the city and hire off-duty police officers if traffic problems are expected. You’ll also need bouncers at the doors and backstage to check IDs, especially if high-profile acts are set to perform.
First aid stations and defibrillators are a must, even for smaller venues. If someone gets hurt, the chaos will make it impossible to come up with a plan on the spot. So make sure that all security personnel and venue employees know where the first aid equipment is located. For a larger venue, have clearly-marked, self-serve first aid stations set up so that audience members can apply first aid themselves.
If street traffic will be affected, you’ll need permits and traffic control officers, as mentioned above. But you also need to pay strict attention to room size limitations. Fire codes have limits on room occupancy that are strictly enforced, and they can send an inspector at any time that the venue is open to do a headcount. You can expect heavy fines and loss of event privileges if violations occur.
While it’s not possible to eliminate every possible security threat, there are still many things you can do to protect people and property at your event. By following the safety and security tips above and using common sense, you can largely ensure the safety of your customers and employees during both small and large events.