Safety and Security Policies for Special Events

Overview

Depending on what your event entails, your special event permit may require you to hire security for your event. One security officer per 50 people is the general rule, but alcohol, date, time of day and location are also considered.

Some events require medical personnel to be onsite.

Security Plan

The goal of a successful contingency plan is to protect life and property by identifying the risks associated with an event and developing a plan of action to minimize those risks and address the safety requirements of the participants and spectators.  

Event organizers should take into consideration the scope of the event, the potential risk of injury or illness to participants and spectators, security needs, and emergency support required to help promote a safe and enjoyable event.  

Should a natural or man-made emergency or disaster occur, the event organizer(s) is legally and morally obligated to ensure that the necessary and appropriate actions will be taken to minimize harm.  The Department stands ready to work with you to ensure that the necessary resources and personnel are available to help make your event a successful one.

Secondary Officers Policy

St. Louis Police Officers should be given first right of refusal before a security firm is hired to provide security for an event.

Emergency Equipment and Medical Services

The City of St. Louis currently provides fire and emergency medical services through the 9-1-1 system. Athletic events like runs, walks, and bike rides, as well as events with more than 5,000 attendees, are required to have emergency medical equipment and services on site. The St. Louis Fire Department makes the determination whether or not City fire and/or medical equipment and personnel will be on site at an event.

Factors in that determination include if it is a City-sponsored event, if the attendance at the event is so large that the 9-1-1 system would not be able to provide normal services, etc. While the City of St. Louis does not endorse any specific company, there are multiple private EMS providers in the City.