By Allan Bullock, Director of Solutions Engineering, Genasys Inc.
Sports have always been a powerful force for bringing people together. Football, in particular, has a unique ability to unite different cultures and foster a sense of camaraderie among nations. The shared excitement, the collective cheers, and even the mutual respect in defeat highlight the beauty of the game.
However, the same fervor that fuels healthy competition can also spark violence. The ongoing UEFA EURO 2024 football championship has showcased this duality, emphasizing both the joy of unity and the dangers of unchecked rivalry. As we look forward to other major events, such as the upcoming Paris Olympics, it’s crucial to address these concerns and ensure the safety of all involved.
A History of Violence
Ensuring safety during large sports events is vital to protect not only the spectators but also the residents of the host city and everyone involved in organizing the events. A study by Science Direct shows that violent crime increases by 17% on a match day, causing social costs of 58 million euros annually.
The UEFA EURO 2024 has already witnessed several instances of fan violence, underscoring the challenges faced by emergency services, stadium security and authorities. Reports of spectators from various nations clashing before and after matches highlight the volatile nature of such gatherings.
When thousands of passionate, and often inebriated, fans converge, the risk of conflict escalates. These incidents not only endanger those directly involved but also pose a threat to other fans, bystanders and damage to possessions and properties. The noise and chaos make communication difficult, complicating the efforts of security and emergency personnel to maintain order and ensure swift responses to emergencies.
The many tragic incidents around the globe that have led to loss of lives serve as a grim reminder of the potential dangers. This makes it imperative for event organizers and city officials to have robust safety measures in place, capable of addressing and mitigating these risks effectively.
How to Maintain Safety
Maintaining safety in such high-stakes environments requires a multifaceted approach. Advanced technology plays a crucial role in ensuring real-time communication and efficient crowd management. This involves implementing a comprehensive emergency management and alerting system that can handle the complexities of a large venue filled with enthusiastic fans.
One such solution involves integrating multi-channel communication tools that can disseminate alerts and notifications swiftly across the stadium. This system includes mass communication software, powerful voice speaker arrays, and emergency evacuation software. These tools are designed to deliver clear and concise messages to everyone within the stadium, ensuring that both routine and emergency information is communicated effectively.
In addition to these high-tech solutions, it’s essential to have well-coordinated efforts among security, medical, and concession personnel, as well as city, state, and local authorities. This coordination ensures that any potential threat or emergency can be handled promptly and efficiently, minimizing the risk to spectators and participants.
Experience and Expertise
Our experience in managing large crowds and ensuring safety in complex environments speaks for itself. For instance, at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, we have deployed a sophisticated platform that includes mass notification software, voice speaker arrays, and emergency evacuation tools. This system ensures that fans, players, and staff are kept informed and safe during games, concerts, and other events. Our ability to scale these solutions means that we are prepared to handle even larger venues and more significant crowds, such as those expected at the Paris Olympics.
Our Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) are deployed around the world for varying uses including crowd communications. These speakers promote peaceful resolutions when tensions are high by providing clear and intelligible broadcasts at long range that are heard above background noise such as large crowds and inside vehicles/buildings.
LRADs ensure that everyone in the area hears and understands the instructions and commands of law enforcement allowing them to operate with confidence. LRADs have been used in sporting events in Columbia SC, to maintain control over large crowds, to guide spectators to safety during extreme weather conditions in Houston TX, and even during recent large scale political protests about the Israel-Palestine conflict around the US.
Contact Genasys to learn more about our protective communications suite of solutions.
