Mass Events call for Mass Planning!

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]recent nighttime party at Cas-en-Bas beach drew some 2,000 thrill seekers. Hours afterward there were muted reports of sexual assaults, theft, robbery, sand mining and litter left behind. (See last Saturday’s STAR.) Finally the promoters took to social media to deny the reports concerning garbage disposal. Of course, the reports about the most recent beach fete apply also to similar promotions of the past. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), which is responsible for oversight of aspects of such events, says: “A mass event is any event with more than 200 people that could compromise our resources.”

The mass events officer, Hildreth Augustin, also says that classifying an activity as a mass event depends largely on the associated risks. He cites, as if to elucidate, a church gospel session with 800 attendants. Such an activity is considered less risky than a liquor-soaked beach party with only 200 celebrants. By Augustin’s measure, the latter would require at least two lifeguards, an alcohol license, adequate security and an ambulance. A gospel event, on the other hand, would require a few police officers and first aid facilities.

The mandated requirements for a mass event include a medical doctor who will decide how many nurses should be at hand. Planners would also have to enlist the services of the Saint Lucia Fire Service and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. Depending on the size and nature of the event, the RSLPF will advise to also contract private security.

Venues for mass events have to be approved by NEMO, the RSLPF and, in some instances, the National Conservation Authority and Department of Fisheries. Each department has its own list of requirements for the organiser to fulfill, but they uniformly enforce the need for proper waste collection and disposal during and after the event, as well as bathroom facilities. The final approval for a mass event comes only after all the necessary information has been satisfactorily submitted to NEMO and the RSLPF. Proper planning is the responsibility of the organiser.

According to NEMO’s Augustin, “I sometimes have to be pro-active, depending on the type of event, and try to get in touch with the organisers myself.” NEMO then works with the organiser to follow protocol and safety precautions.

During an event, Augustin adds, “Sometimes you look at the crowd and it’s not what was expected. If there’s any risk involved, the police have the authority to discontinue the event.”