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Chapter 19 - Crowd-Related Considerations at Mass Gathering Events: Management, Safety, and Dynamics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2024

By
Katie Klatt ,
Richard Serino ,
Edward Davis  and
Jennifer O. Grimes
Edited by
William J. Brady ,
Mark R. Sochor ,
Paul E. Pepe ,
John C. Maino II  and
K. Sophia Dyer
William J. Brady
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Mark R. Sochor
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Paul E. Pepe
Affiliation:
Metropolitan EMS Medical Directors Global Alliance, Florida
John C. Maino II
Affiliation:
Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn
K. Sophia Dyer
Affiliation:
Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Massachusetts
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Summary

Providing medical care during a mass event requires important situational awareness and preparation. Significant planning and relationship building provides a foundation for creating an operational outline, and establishing crowd dynamics and expectations for related medical activities. Collaboration with stakeholders will provide insight into the operations of various other event management entities, and allows for more seamless operations during the event. Once an operational plan has been established and circulated, the event medical team can be prepared for the expected external and crowd conditions and respond appropriately, while maintaining vigilance for any emergency that may arise. Contingency planning is key for the medical team to have appropriate emergency response defaults. Special attention is also needed on communications strategies for real-time intel, information dissemination, and crowd management. Once the event reaches its end, it is important to establish stand-down procedures to be followed as the crowd disperses to ensure an orderly event closure. After action reports can provide valuable insights for future crowd management.

Keywords

Crowd managementpreparednesscommunicationemergency preparednessoperational planplanningstakeholdersresponseproblem solvingstand downcontingency planningcommunity partners
Type
Chapter
Information
Mass Gathering Medicine
A Guide to the Medical Management of Large Events
 , pp. 268 - 283
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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