BLOG: 8 tips to prepare for a crowded carnival event

1. Create a detailed crowd management plan
   This plan should outline the layout of the event site, including designated walkways, entry and exit points, and areas where crowds are likely to congregate. It should also include a complete plan for managing crowds, both in normal conditions and in emergencies. If you don't have this expertise in-house, there are a lot of well-experienced crowd safety experts out there who can help.
2. Monitor crowd density
   Organizers should have a system in place to monitor crowd density in real-time. This includes using easy-to-install sensor technology like CrowdScan that counts attendees in a privacy-friendly way and that warns when a critical threshold is exceeded.
3. Designate crowd safety professionals
   Organizers should assign crowd stewards together with crowd safety professionals to monitor the event site and respond to any issues that arise. They should be equipped with radios or other communication devices to quickly contact other staff members in an emergency. Make a clear plan of what and how to communicate to keep the time between the incident and response as short as possible.
4. Communicate with attendees
   Organizers should communicate important information to attendees, such as the location of exits, restrooms, and first aid stations. They should also have signs or announcements to indicate when an area is becoming too crowded and that attendees should move to a less crowded area. Different technologies are available to identify when an area is reaching its thresholds. Know what you want to communicate to who before and after the event. Where possible, prepare all your messages.
5. Have emergency plans in place
   Organizers should have plans in place and ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the procedures they need to follow in case of an emergency. The plan should include evacuation routes and procedures, first aid arrangements, and a method of communicating with authorities.
6. Think about accessibility needs
   Organizers should consider the needs of attendees with disabilities, such as providing accessible parking and designated viewing areas for individuals using wheelchairs.
7. Take care of your Safety Advisory Group (SAG)
   Organizers should work with local authorities such as the fire and police departments to ensure that their event is as safe as possible. They should also be prepared to follow any guidelines and regulations that are required by law.
8. Hold a tabletop exercise (TTX)
   Finally, it is always a good idea to do a TTX or a rehearsal of the event so that all the staff and volunteers know the crowd management plan and what to expect on the day of the event.

It's important to keep in mind that every event is different and may have different requirements and challenges. It's essential to be flexible and adapt as needed.

CrowdScan can help to monitor crowds, to react in real-time to incidents, and to predict when an area is becoming too crowded.