Parade Safety Tips for Event Organisers

Parades are a vibrant celebration of community, culture, and tradition, typically drawing large crowds and requiring careful planning.

In Ireland, we have parades annually on Saint Patrick’s Day. Indeed, globally, many major cities and towns have St. Patrick’s Day Parades. It is a huge day of celebration of all things Irish and parades are a key component.

We have worked on Dublin Pride since 2015, which is an event involving a large parade moving through the capital city here in Ireland. Parades present a variety of challenges typical to most events as well as challenges more particular to parades.

Ensuring parade safety is vital to protect participants, spectators, and staff, and to prevent accidents or disruptions.

This article outlines key parade safety tips and safety measures to help event organisers create a secure and successful parade.

Introduction to Parade Safety

Parades are a cornerstone of community engagement, bringing people together for joyous public displays. They happen the world over, whether for Thanksgiving, our team homecoming celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day or otherwise.

They tend to be joyous, family-fun events.

However, their open, large-scale nature means safety must be a top priority.

Parade safety protocols ensure that every participant and spectator can enjoy the event without risk. Understanding how to make a parade safe involves preparation, planning, and cooperation with local authorities.

Careful consideration of risks, the environment, and potential hazards is essential to avoid preventable incidents.

Thoroughly reviewing past parade safety incidents can help organisers anticipate challenges and take steps to prevent similar occurrences.

Parade Safety Tips

Implementing parade safety tips can significantly reduce risks during your event. Key suggestions for organisers include:

Arrive early to oversee set-up and monitor the build / preparations environment.
Ensure all participants understand their responsibilities and have signed an agreement to adhere to safety guidelines.
Encourage spectators to stay behind appropriate barriers / barricades and within designated viewing areas.
Keep vehicles and pedestrians separated for as long as possible. With most parades, there does come a time where they mix.
Provide clear signage and directions to help attendees navigate safely.
Communicate safety protocols to all attendees before and during the event through announcements, social media and printed materials.
Monitor crowd density and flow, adjusting barriers and stewarding as needed.
Assign dedicated Safety Advisors to monitor high-traffic areas and potential pinch points. Ensure they are equipped with communication devices.
Provide shaded rest areas and water stations to prevent heat exhaustion in warm weather.
Encourage parade attendees to wear comfortable footwear and dress appropriately for weather conditions.
Ensure vendors along the route adhere to Health and Safety regulations and do not obstruct emergency exits or pedestrian pathways.

The above may not apply in full to every parade event but they are tips worth noting.

For instance, we don’t often need to worry about heat exhaustion at parades in Ireland, but it can happen.

First Aid / Medical

The presence of first aid and medical support is a fundamental parade safety requirement. Organisers should:

Involve a professional Event Medical services provider and have them undertake a Medical needs Risk Assessment for the event.
Do not rely on voluntary medical providers alone.
Establish First Aid stations along the parade route, clearly marked for visibility.
Ensure appropriately qualified and trained first aid personnel are stationed at key points.
Have ambulances on standby for emergencies and coordinate with local hospitals.
Prepare for common issues like heat exhaustion, dehydration, fainting, and minor injuries.
Develop clear communication channels to coordinate emergency responses efficiently.
Equip staff with radios and ensure all stewards know the location of medical support and emergency exits.
Ensure water supply points are available, especially during hot weather events.

Requirements as regards medical will vary from one parade to another. The key here is to involve trained and qualified professionals to help you plan for what you need.

The Purple Guide is a superb resource to aid you in planning your medical cover too.

How to Make Parades Safe

The foundation of parade safety is proactive planning and preparation. Key steps include:

Conduct a comprehensive Risk Assessment covering crowd density, weather, road safety, and vehicle inspections to name a few.
Implement Crowd Management strategies with barriers, stewarding, and zoned viewing areas.
Designate an emergency response team with clear roles and responsibilities, ensuring all members are trained.
Maintain clear communication with Police, Emergency Services, and Local Authorities.
Carry out parade float safety checks to ensure stability, proper operation, and secure decorations. It should be a requirement that floats pass these safety checks to participate in the parade.
Instruct float participants not to throw items into the crowd, as this can lead to injuries and encourage dangerous crowd surges.
Ensure drivers of floats are qualified and receive a Safety Briefing before the event.
Regularly check vehicles for mechanical issues before and during the parade.
Encourage floats to maintain a safe speed and maintain a safe distance from crowds and other parade vehicles.
Ensure floats don’t utilise petrol generators to power sound systems or similar.

As with most events, you can design safety into your parade through proper planning.

A focus on the floats and what participants / entrants propose to do on the floats is important. Consider things like:

Will there be people on the float?
Will they be secured somehow or moving around?
Is the plan for there to be children on the float as it’s moving?
Are those on the float planning to be throwing sweets or similar to the crowd? Don’t let them.
What safety arrangements are planned for the float? Will there be railings to help stop people falling off? Are they fit for purpose? Are they at the correct heights?
Has the float been designed professionally?
Who is constructing the float and what is their competency to do so?
Can they provide insurance for the float / vehicle to be used in the manner being planned for the parade?

There is a LOT to consider when it comes to the safety of the floats / vehicles participating in parades.

Emergency Preparedness for Parades

Preparing for emergencies is a core aspect of parade safety. Organisers should:

Develop a robust Emergency Response Plan tailored to the parade’s scale and location.
Conduct pre-event Safety Briefings for all volunteers, stewards, and participating groups.
Install clear signage for emergency exits, assembly points, and First Aid stations along the parade route.
Collaborate with local Emergency Services for fast response times and shared protocols.
Carry out emergency drills before the event to ensure readiness and identify potential weaknesses.
Identify evacuation routes and ensure they are kept clear during the parade.
Create a Lost Child Protocol, including dedicated reunion points and a team trained to handle such situations.
Prepare a contingency plan in case the parade needs to be halted or cancelled.

Again, not all of the above will be appropriate or realistic for every parade.

That said, all of the above should be considered as all will enhance safety arrangements for the parade if implemented.

Weather Considerations

Weather can pose unexpected risks, requiring organisers to remain flexible and prepared. Steps to mitigate weather-related hazards include:

Monitoring weather forecasts closely in the days leading up to the parade and continuously during the event.
Having contingency plans for extreme weather conditions, such as rain, strong winds, lightning, or excessive heat.
Providing shelter or shaded areas for attendees in case of sudden changes in weather.
Communicating weather updates and safety instructions to participants and spectators.
Ensuring all floats and structures are weather-resistant and secured against high winds.
Encouraging participants to wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear.
Preparing a heat mitigation plan, including cooling stations and hydration points.

Weather and how it may impact your event is quite a local consideration, but a key one.

Some parades won’t need to worry about heat, but they may need to worry about cold.

Some might typically experience high winds and will need to account for that.

Conclusion – Creating Safe and Enjoyable Parade Experiences

Parade safety measures are the backbone of any successful event.

From pre-event Risk Assessments to police coordination, First Aid provision, and weather preparedness, every detail counts.

Collaboration between event organisers, Emergency Services, and Local Authorities is vital for ensuring a smooth, enjoyable parade.

By following these Parade Safety Tips and protocols, event organisers can foster safe and memorable celebrations for everyone involved.

Key Parade Safety Insights for Event Organisers

Conduct detailed Risk Assessments and update them regularly.
Implement robust Crowd Management with appropriate barriers, zones, and trained staff.
Separate vehicles and pedestrians for as long as you can.
Set up multiple First aid stations along the parade route.
Ensure all floats meet parade safety requirements and are thoroughly checked.
Collaborate closely with Police and Emergency Services before and during the event.
Communicate safety guidelines clearly to participants, spectators, and staff.
Hold Safety Briefings for all parade groups and key personnel.
Monitor weather conditions continuously and prepare contingency plans.
Evaluate post-event safety to improve future planning and identify areas for improvement.

Following these Parade Safety Tips will help you as an organiser deliver a safe and memorable event for your community.