Crowd management and communications plan
Crowd management, stewards and marshals
A steward is someone who is held responsible for the safety and care of spectators. They must be easily identifiable by using tabards or high visibility jackets.
A marshal is someone who is held responsible for the safety and care of participants or competitors this only applies to events on the highway and road. They must be easily identifiable by using tabards or high visibility jackets.
Give consideration to how you will manage spectators and participants and whether there is a need for stewards and marshals at your event. If there is a requirement, the Safety Advisory Group will advise whether they need to hold a valid SIA licence, chapter 8 accreditation (for traffic management purposes) or Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) qualification.
If stewards or marshals are deployed the event organiser must ensure they have adequate training and/or briefing in advance of the event and provide suitable welfare on the day. This will include both verbal and written briefings where appropriate. If required to attend the Safety Advisory Group, you may be asked to present training documents. All stewards must wear viable identification and/or display their SIA licences. All SIA licences should be checked that they are valid before employment of each individual’s services. This can be done by the Security Industry Authority website (external link).
Communications
On site communications are essential at events for controlling the public via public address systems and for keeping in contact with essential members of the organisational team during the actual event.
Radio communication is excellent for large events covering extensive sites; however, organisers should be aware that there are limitations on their use, due to geographical location or more simply if caused by the undisciplined user who insists on talking over other transmissions.
There are also a number of technical considerations to be made for example, two channel systems or multi-channel systems and special headsets for communications inside entertainment marquees where it may be difficult to receive or hear communications over the sound of on-stage public address or stage gear. Consider also earpiece reception for staff/stewards/helpers in the front line. Innocent messages overheard by the public, if misheard or misinterpreted can cause panic. Priority talk- through arrangements for key posts, for example safety officer and event co-ordinator for dealing with emergencies is essential.
A link into the public address system is also an essential feature in controlling the behaviour of the public through public announcements.