Competitions, festivals, concerts, flash mobs, conferences, tourist gatherings, parades and processions comprise a certain substantial component and, at the same time, these are mass events during which certain requirements must be adhered to.
What is a mass event
A mass event is a gathering of a significant number of people in order to participate in any event that is in the nature of a patriotic appeal, holiday, advertisement, spectacle, business meeting or leisure pastime.
Venues for public events are different:
- squares and parks;
- squares and city streets;
- public buildings;
- theater halls;
- concert venues;
- Sport halls.
The organization of cultural events contributes to the fulfillment of the needs of residents of a political, cultural, economic and religious nature.
Forms of mass events
There are various groups and forms of mass events:
- State and political: shareholders meetings, scientific and practical conferences, congresses, parades, processions.
- Cultural events: citywide evening for graduates, theatrical performances, folk festivals, fairs and exhibitions, carnival processions, festival performances, concert programs, show programs.
- Sports and entertainment: sports matches, sports and athletics competitions, auto racing and rallies, athletics cross-country events, Olympic games.
- Events of a religious nature: holidays, ceremonial processions.
- Private: banquets, weddings, anniversary celebrations.
All events can take place at the municipal, regional, national or international level. The mode of occurrence of such actions is divided into two large groups:
They can be carried out once or periodically, providing the possibility of participation of a limited number of people or general accessibility.
How to hold a mass event
A number of structures are involved in the preparation and conduct of events:
- Local government bodies.
- Institutions belonging to various departments and forms of ownership.
- Heads of institutions in whose territory it is carried out.
A mass event is a strict observance of the main conditions, order and requirements for its holding, maintaining the personal safety of everyone present.
Carrying out cultural events provides for the undeniable role of healthcare, motor transport and trade enterprises, consumer services, information and Internet resources.
If large-scale events are being prepared, the municipality administration may form coordination councils and headquarters that coordinate and control all participants. Such committees have the responsibility to develop appropriate plans, maintain law and order, and urgently evacuate spectators and participants if there is a threat to their life and health.
What to consider
When discussing the procedure for holding a mass event, it is necessary to take into account the conditions for its holding:
- Schedule of public municipal transport (all those present should be able to use public transport at the end).
- Weather and climatic conditions.
- Parking for motor vehicles.
- Convenience of approach to the main place, taking into account restrictions on access to vehicles.
- The presence of left-luggage offices.
- The possibility of providing primary health care.
- The work of food outlets and the sale of non-alcoholic drinks (in hot weather - refreshing, in cold - warming).
- The availability of bathrooms.
Instructions for organizing and conducting
The following instructions recommend mass events as follows:
- The councils of voluntary sports organizations and the sports committee are required to coordinate the necessary examinations with the administration of the municipality, engineering structures, sanitary epidemiological station, law enforcement agencies, civil defense and emergency departments. Surveys should result in relevant acts.
- The organizers provide the process of the event (staff compliance with fire and anti-terrorism safety rules , the appointment of responsible persons), duly notify the municipality about where, when and at what time the event will be held, indicate the name, format, data on the number of participants, contact details .
- Managers in whose department buildings and structures are located are required to ensure the reliability of the stands and other structures used, the possibility of general evacuation if there is a danger to the life and health of others.
Characteristics of a mass event
The format of the public event determines its characteristic features. Conventionally, any public mass event can be attributed to one of the main types at the venue:
- Closed. In this case, a narrow circle of specific invitees gathers in a separate room, access for guests is limited by invitation cards, the social level and interests of those gathered are approximately the same.
- Open. This format provides anyone with the opportunity to participate in planned events. This significantly increases the risk of creating dangerous situations.
The heterogeneity of the composition of those present is most pronounced during sports and entertainment events:
- Fans belong to rival sports clubs, their contingent is clearly identified.
- Bright, fanatical addictions to your club or team are manifested in shouts, slogans, chanting certain phrases.
- The age and social composition, the level of education and culture, the value orientations of those present can vary greatly, this can lead to conflict situations.
Potential threats
A mass event is the most affordable opportunity to meet the needs of a large group of people. At the same time, this is a potential threat to the life and health of all participants, fans, spectators. This is due to several factors:
- Confined space increases the risk of law enforcement by a group of people formed spontaneously or in an organized manner.
- Changing the usual rhythm, the dynamics of events can provoke cases of conflicts between individual citizens or certain groups of them. Specific formats of informal events especially contribute to this.
- With a significant concentration of people, it becomes possible to commit thefts, damage to property.
- The collective gathering of a certain contingent of people (radically-minded fans, rival parties, rock fans) can accumulate the manifestation of negative emotions.
- Even a short-term non-standard situation can contribute to the manifestation of panic, leading to a large number of victims.
- There is a real threat of a terrorist act as a result of the implementation of criminal or antisocial plans.
Security measures by the organizers
The safety of those present is primarily the responsibility of the organizer. If the security system is not properly formed, even the most striking, spectacular, interesting and important event will lose its significance and can lead to sad consequences.
Ensuring the safety of mass events is carried out by equipping points where participants, spectators, the security service, as well as fire extinguishing equipment, will be accommodated.
In proper condition, it is necessary to maintain common areas, observe the sanitary-hygienic regime throughout the territory. For official vehicles, free access to facilities and water sources should be arranged in case of fire danger. Evacuation plans and signs for evacuation exits should be placed at central locations.
Ensuring Security by Law Enforcement Officers
Public events provide for the observance of public safety, which is carried out by law enforcement agencies. What exactly should they pay attention to?
- Employees of internal affairs bodies are obliged to prevent citizens in a state of drug, toxic or alcohol intoxication.
- Particular attention should be paid to persons wishing to carry any kind of weapon.
- If occupancy rates become extremely permissible, then law enforcement officials must submit to the organizers a requirement to stop the passage of visitors (spectators, fans) to the territory where the event will be held.
- If there is a perceived threat, all those present must be evacuated from the audience, from the stands.
- In the process of suppressing cases of law enforcement, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of panic.
Rules of Conduct
The rules of conduct during sports and entertainment and cultural events are determined by standard rules and prohibit:
- Bring weapons, explosives, drugs, alcoholic drinks, large bags with you.
- Run out onto the field or stage, be in the aisles or on the stairs.
- Disturb order: drink alcohol, insult and humiliate those present, show signs of extremism.
A mass event is that unique situation when a person can feel like-minded, be involved in important state, religious or other events, spend their leisure time with interest and benefit.