Why should you hire marshals?

Marshals play a key role in the success of any large scale or public event. Making sure there are sufficient marshals on site is crucial when it comes to maintaining health and safety as well as daily logistics for any large scale or public event.

Marshals are central to any event. Their duties are crucial – ensuring fire safety, checking tickets, ensuring safe car parking, dealing with all entry and exit routes as well as being prepared to deal with any emergencies that occur. Every marshal is trained to guide people away from problems and ensure their safety.

Careful monitoring of visitor numbers may be essential especially within buildings to prevent overcrowding. Too many people in one area at a time can be a major safety issue if problems occur and there is a need to get people out as quickly as possible.

If the event is taking place within a building, the marshals may well also be responsible for the security of the building itself so will need to undertake regular checks throughout the building. Some areas may be off limits to event participants, and marshals will have to be ready to ensure those areas are kept closed.

Do you need stewards?

Additional stewards may be required when events involve the consumption of alcohol, especially within a building. Organisers should check a venue’s requirements carefully to make sure that they fully comply with all regulations, ensuring the number of marshals and stewards matches attendance figures. Most venues will provide minimum numbers required for an event, and may also insist that the venue’s own security and fire officers are present.

All marshals need to be clearly identifiable, wearing high visibility jackets. This ensures that visitors immediately know who they should seek out in the event of a problem, if they get lost or need information. Wearing a high visibility jacket also gives credibility and official status when marshals are organising entrance and exit points. Such jackets make them stand out across a large car park and ensure drivers can be pointed in the right direction.

Make sure that every marshal and steward on your premises during an event is fully training and aware of all relevant procedures.