Heat at open-air events: how organisers protect their audience

In short: On hot days, the number of cases of assistance rises significantly. Shade, drinking water and well-distributed medical teams prevent most heat emergencies. In Berlin, weather risk is factored into the calculation as a surcharge.

Recognising heat emergencies

• Heat exhaustion: pale, clammy skin, dizziness, headache, rapid pulse
• Sunstroke: bright red, hot head, nausea, stiff neck
• Heatstroke: hot, dry skin, confusion, impaired consciousness – an emergency, call 112 immediately

What organisers should prepare

• Free drinking water and clearly signposted water points
• Shaded areas, especially in waiting areas and in front of the stage
• Announcements and notices on the screens
• Cooling facilities in the first aid post
• Additional mobile teams in the audience
• A plan for interruption or cancellation in extreme heat or thunderstorms

First aid until the medical services arrive

Move the person into the shade, lay them with the upper body slightly raised, loosen clothing, cool with damp cloths and – only if the person is awake – give water in small sips.

When does heat become an issue?

The German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst) warns of strong heat stress when the perceived temperature in the early afternoon is above 32 °C, and of extreme heat stress from 38 °C. For events, these are useful triggers: if a heat warning is in force for the day of the event, the prepared heat plan should kick in.

Who is particularly at risk

• People in the front rows who stand in the sun for hours and do not want to leave their spot
• Children and older people
• Guests who drink alcohol or take drugs
• Athletes at runs and tournaments
• Your own staff: stewards, set-up helpers, stall operators – and the crew themselves

A heat plan in three stages

1. Preparation: plan water points, shade and cooling facilities, include notices in visitor information, allow visitors to bring their own water bottles.
2. Heat warning: additional mobile teams, water distribution at the stage barrier, regular announcements, mist sprays or water hoses in waiting areas.
3. Extreme conditions: postpone or interrupt the programme, limit admission, decide on cancellation together with the medical services and the authority.

Decide in advance who makes these decisions and how they are communicated to the audience.

Heat in the calculation

In the Berlin Fire Brigade scheme, an expected weather risk counts as a surcharge of 1 to 2 points. For a concert with 8,000 guests, that can make the difference between 14 and 18 helpers. If the date falls in high summer, the surcharge should be included from the start – getting extra crew afterwards is difficult on hot weekends. In the requirements calculator you can compare both variants.

Thunderstorms are part of it

Heat is often followed by a storm. Clarify shelters, evacuation routes and the securing of stages and tents. The event medical services should be involved in storm planning, because in an evacuation many people may need help at the same time.

Frequently asked questions

Event medical services for open-air events