Every live event, tour, or production carries inherent risks. While risk management plans and safety officers form the backbone of prevention, incidents still occur. When they do, the presence of qualified paramedical staff can mean the difference between a rapid response and a preventable tragedy. For production managers and organisers, understanding why paramedical coverage is critical, how it should be integrated into planning, and what standards apply is key to delivering safe and compliant events.

Why Paramedical Coverage Matters

Large gatherings bring together a range of hazards. Crowds can surge, weather can shift quickly, and performers and crew often work under intense physical and psychological stress. Even with robust safety controls, medical emergencies are a reality.

Relying on public emergency services alone creates gaps. Ambulances may take time to arrive, especially in rural or congested locations. Paramedics embedded on site can provide immediate stabilisation, ensuring patients receive life-saving care before transfer to hospital if required. This not only protects health outcomes but also reduces liability for organisers.

Legal and Industry Expectations

Work health and safety laws in Australia and New Zealand place a duty of care on organisers to provide adequate medical support. While regulations may not always prescribe the exact number of paramedics, the principle of ensuring a safe workplace is clear.

Industry bodies such as the Event Safety Alliance recommend that organisers consider factors such as crowd size, event type, demographics, and environmental conditions when determining medical coverage. In practice, this often means having paramedical teams available throughout the event, with escalation pathways to hospitals or specialist care.

Scope of Paramedical Services

On-site paramedics provide a wide range of services, including:

• Immediate first response to injuries or illness

• Advanced life support and resuscitation

• Management of drug and alcohol-related incidents

• Stabilisation of cardiac, respiratory, or allergic emergencies

• Coordination with local ambulance services

• Support for crew health issues such as dehydration, fatigue, or musculoskeletal injuries

Unlike first aid officers, paramedics are trained to handle critical emergencies. Their ability to perform advanced procedures such as airway management, intravenous therapy, and medication administration is a crucial distinction.

Integrating Paramedical Coverage into Planning

Planning for medical coverage should begin at the same time as risk management and safety planning. Key steps include:

1. Assess event risks – crowd profile, location, weather, and activity type.

2. Determine level of coverage required – number of paramedics, response teams, and equipment.

3. Plan medical facilities – on-site clinics, triage areas, and transport routes.

4. Coordinate with safety officers – ensuring communication systems are aligned.

5. Rehearse emergency scenarios – joint drills with security, production, and paramedical teams.

Clear documentation is essential. Medical coverage plans should be submitted as part of overall event safety documentation and reviewed by stakeholders before approval.

Cost Versus Value

Paramedical coverage is often viewed as an additional expense. In reality, the value it delivers far outweighs the cost. An effective on-site response can prevent fatalities, reduce hospital admissions, and demonstrate compliance with duty of care obligations. It also provides reassurance to artists, crew, and audiences that their wellbeing is being prioritised.

From a reputational perspective, having visible, professional medical teams enhances trust. For sponsors, insurers, and regulators, it signals that organisers are serious about safety.

Case Examples

• Music festival – On-site paramedics treated multiple cases of dehydration and substance-related illness. Rapid intervention prevented hospital transfers, allowing the event to continue without disruption.

• Sporting event – A participant suffered a cardiac arrest during competition. Immediate resuscitation by on-site paramedics restored circulation before ambulance transfer, saving the individual’s life.

These examples illustrate that paramedical teams are not a luxury but a necessity.

Practical Guidelines and Resources

Organisers can find guidance from several reputable sources:

• Australian Resuscitation Council – standards for resuscitation and emergency response

• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice

• World Health Organization – Mass Gatherings Health

Engaging accredited providers and ensuring paramedics are registered with the relevant health board provides further assurance of quality and compliance.

Paramedical coverage should be considered an essential element of production planning. It closes the gap between prevention and emergency response, ensuring that health incidents are managed swiftly and effectively. For organisers, integrating paramedics into event safety frameworks is both a compliance measure and a demonstration of professional responsibility.

For more information about Hemisphere’s approach to integrated event safety and medical support, visit our Safety Services page.