Festivals and events are where the atmosphere is powerful, whether it's live music, cultural celebrations, sporting events or community gatherings. They’re a place where people gather together to enjoy themselves in a lively and high-energy environment.
But these large events pose their own risks and challenges when it comes to safety and preparedness, which is why adhering to Martyn’s Law is so poignant. The goal of Martyn’s Law is to place a greater emphasis on protecting the public and reducing harm. And that means venue owners, event organisers, stewards and volunteers, and even security – all have their role to play in creating safe environments, where everyone feels protected, without losing the atmosphere that makes these events special.
The aim is not to remove enjoyment, but to put in measures that protect against any situation that can result in causing harm. Martyn’s Law is there to ensure festivals and events teams understand what to expect, how to respond and how to support others if something goes wrong.
What counts as a qualifying event under Martyn’s Law
Martyn’s Law applies to wide a range of publicly accessible premises but also includes events that bring large groups of people together in a shared space, at one time.
A qualifying event can typically be one where:
- The public can attend
- There is a defined capacity or an expected crowd size
- The event organiser has a level of control over the space and how it's managed
Events that fall under scope of Martyn’s Law include:
- Festivals and outdoor gatherings
- Concerts and musical performances
- Sporting events
- Seasonal or pop-up events
Even if the setups are temporary, there is still a responsibility of the organiser to consider safety. As a temporary event can add complexities, such as unfamiliar layouts, changing access points and evolving crowd dynamics.
So, it’s important to carry out a risk assessment ahead of time to ensure you have all bases covered in terms of security and safety. Understanding whether an event or festival falls under Martyn’s Law is the first step, as it’ll help organisers put proportionate plans in place ahead of time.
Large-scale events and festivals can be anything from:
- Music festivals (Glastonbury, Hyde Park)
- Street festivals (parades, cultural events)
- Food and drink festivals
- Arts and performance festivals
To smaller events like:
- Local fairs and community events
- Christmas markets
- Fireworks displays
- Outdoor screenings or pop-up cinemas
These events can attract hundreds, or even thousands of guests, and can last all day/weekend, making access to first aid especially important. These environments also may have changing layouts from their usual set-ups, making it more reason to have clear first aid points and accessible first aid equipment throughout the site.
Moving between Standard and Enhanced Duty
One of the key features to Martyn’s Law is its tiered approach, where the level of expectation and safety measures depend on how many people are to be present at one time in a premise.
For festivals and event organisers, this can feel a little uncertain and less straightforward than in permanent locations. Because:
- Attendance by increase on specific days
- Crowd numbers can vary depending on the weather or ticket sales
- The number of visitors may change over time
Due to this, festivals and events may move between Standard Duty and Enhanced Duty thresholds. So, planning for these premises needs to be flexible in order to adhere to any changes.
For plans to be flexible, you should consider the below:
Preparing for fluctuating capacity
- Are there different areas that carry different levels of risk
- How does the crowd flow throughout the day
- Are there peak times when larger crowds gather
Scaling plans accordingly
As attendance increases, preparedness will need to evolve. This can be done by:
- Having more structured coordination between teams
- Clearer communication across large spaces
- Extra support when managing crowds and responding to incidents
Following Martyn’s Law for festivals and events shouldn’t have to be complicated, just more thorough and organised, to ensure that arrangements are made proportionately according to the venue.
Volunteer and steward preparedness
With any event or festival, they rely on volunteers and stewards, who are often directly amongst the crowd.
However, they may not come from a professional security or safety background, meaning they may not understand to the same degree as employees within the organisation. But they still play a critical role in identifying concerns and guiding guests during an incident.
Because of the importance of their role, it’s essential that preparedness also involves:
- Clear communication that doesn’t include jargon or overly technical language
- Practical planning that focuses on what they may realistically encounter
- Reassurance by helping them feel supported, instead of overwhelming them with the importance of providing safety
What volunteers and stewards should know
Effective preparation will often focus on:
- Recognising when something doesn’t feel or look right
- Knowing how and where to raise concerns quickly
- Understanding the basic layout of the venue, including exits and safe zones
- Being able to support the public calmly if needed
Volunteers should not be expected to manage every situation, but since they are amongst the crowds, they normally are the first point of contact. Undergoing simple, scenario-based training will help them:
- Feel more confident in their role
- Respond calmly under pressure
- Work effectively with others on site
All of this together will help create a more coordinated approach and responsive environment across the entire event.
Trauma response before emergency services arrive
In large-scale and busy events during an emergency, there may be a short waiting period before professional help reaches the scene, where those on-site need to respond to a trauma event.
Having to provide first aid help may feel daunting, especially in high-pressure situations, but with simple and immediate actions, it can be carried out with care, and volunteers and stewards can help support those who are affected.
Events and festivals that are indoor can have a particularly high pressure on response times, whether they’re concerts and live performances, club nights, conferences or sporting events in arenas. It may be more difficult for emergency services to arrive, so having trained staff and easily accessible equipment can help with a quicker response, because early action is super important. Especially if it helps reduce harm, for example, in cases where there is life-threatening bleeding.
During this type of traumatic incident, the first few minutes are the most vital, and even without specialist equipment or medical knowledge, the best steps are to support the injured person, call for help and follow the guidance from emergency services.
Being prepared can make a meaningful difference, which is why training teams in advance with practical, hands-on elements can help staff and volunteers:
- Recognise serious situations quicker
- Understand their immediate next steps
- Feel more prepared to act
Combined with having the right equipment available, such as clearly located and accessible first aid supplies, it will support a more effective response when the time calls for it. You can do this by having first aid tents and stalls around the event, so guests can visibly see where to go if needed, and volunteers know where to access first aid equipment if needed.
Supporting safer and well-prepared events
Planning for Martyn’s Law within events, festivals and temporary venues is about careful and proportionate preparation.
For organisers, this often means:
- Understand whether an event falls within scope
- Planning for any changes in attendance and scale of the event
- Equipping volunteers and stewards with clear and practical knowledge
- Considering how teams would respond in an emergency
By focusing on these simple and proportionate steps, events and festivals can continue to remain enjoyable and welcoming, while making sure those responsible for safety feel ready for an emergency.
At St John Ambulance, we’re here to support event organisers across the UK with first aid training and first aid supplies that are designed for real-world scenarios. With a huge focus on practical skills, clear guidance and helping build confidence, we help teams prepare for fast-moving and unpredictable environments.
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