Crowded affairs can be magnets of several kinds of disasters, most especially ones initiated by man. This is a fact that has been proven time and again by numerous occurrences like the Paris’ Bataclan theatre catastrophe, Nice’s Bastille Day attack, and Orlando’s Pulse nightclub shooting.
Because of this, every event planner should put security at the pinnacle of their priorities list when organizing an affair. In fact, it should even be put above attendee experience over food and entertainment.
With that said, we have listed down 5 questions you need to ask potential venues to prevent similar disasters from happening as well as other things you can do as an event planner to improve security in the event you are organizing.
What Are Your Protocols For Different Security Risk Situations?
This question applies to venues for big concerts, charity galas, and other events that may be targeted by terrorist attacks due to their large number of attendees. It is also important to know how the venue management intends to control if the crowd dense. Look for venues who can organize crowds proactively and implement protocols when security risks arise.
How Well Are Your Staff Trained on Security Protocols?
Staff training is an important criterion when choosing a venue as it would determine how well their employees are knowledgeable on handling difficult security emergencies and high-risk situations. While they may not handle all security concerns, the venue staff should still be prepared on how they will execute protocols to ensure orderly conduct inside the premises.
Do You Coordinate with Emergency and Law Enforcement Authorities?
Proper coordination with emergency and law enforcement authorities is also another thing to consider when choosing a venue. This means blue light services like EMS, the fire department, and even the police should have ample knowledge of the layout of the venue as well as typical events that happen in the premises.
On top of that, it is important to have people from the venue management team to handle rapport and proper engagement of attendees. This way, you’ll be able to reduce if not avoid complaints from the crowd about rude security personnel.
How Do You Prevent Security From Being Compromised?
Prevention should always be the core of any event security management plan. Because of this, you should always ask potential venues about how they plan to avoid having armed people entering the event premises. This means there should be person and bag checks as well as scanners to weed out any potential violence instigator among the attendees.
Assessing threats and vulnerability within the place itself should also be included in any event venue package you acquire. This way, you are assured that venue owners and managers have ways to limit threats and prevent people from wandering into potential high-risk areas.
Do You Have A Monitoring System for Exterior Parameters of the Venue?
CCTV cameras and regular patrols outside the venue premises can do wonders for security. Not only can it allow early detection of threats, it can also discourage potential attackers.
More Event Security Tips
Ensuring the security of attendees of an event is a collective effort. This means the venue staff isn’t the only ones that should know about security protocols. In fact, good event planners work together with different committees of the affair to make sure that the safety of those attending the event is secure.
Here are some of the things an event planner should do for the security of the event:
- Assess event security at the very beginning of the planning.
- Do not rely too much on technology. Instead, focus on having good people working on the ground to ensure that the area is secure.
- Have a hand at establishing an emergency response plan.
- Establish solid security presence. This is effective in thwarting bad people from attempting to target your event and provide peace of mind for attendees as well.
- Be stern in identifying all staff involved as well as attendees.
