SXSW_0874Event security can be a substantial logistical challenge with dozens of things happening at once and people gathering by the thousands. Whether it’s a sporting event, a music series, a trade show, an art festival or a corporate event, it’s all about coordination. And coordination comes down to communication. Are the right people getting the right information in a timely manner? Is everyone able to respond quickly to unforeseen events? Those involved need to have clear direction, the ability to ask questions and solve problems, and access up-to-date information. That’s why event organizers need to approach two-way radios (walkie-talkies) as their first and most essential safety device. Here’s a look at the key advantages of renting two-way radios for event security:
  • Crowd control and disturbances: The sooner you can rush security people to the scene of a scuffle, the greater your chance of preventing it from turning into a full-blown brawl.
  • Health and safety: Festival-goers can suffer heart attacks, slip on wet pavement and break a leg, choke on a chilidog and who knows what else. There’s no substitute for calling help to the scene as soon as possible.
  • Workforce management: Supervisors can use radios to coordinate their staff and to make sure everybody is where they are supposed to be. The one-to-many capabilities of two-way radios make it possible to communicate with dozens of people instantaneously.
  • Service and maintenance requests: Because security people are the eyes and ears of your event, they can be the first to report spills, equipment breakdowns and customers getting testy about uneven service.
  • Accommodating set-up, teardown and technical crews: Musical events in particular require security staff to coordinate with crews setting up and tearing down tons of equipment and managing sophisticated stage shows. They also need to be able to alert additional security personnel  at the first sign of trouble and call in help if there’s an accident.
When organizers deal with large groups, everyone feels more secure knowing they can communicate with the appropriate people. Renting your radio system for event security makes that happen. That’s one of the main reasons why BearCom has become the nation’s largest provider of rental two-way radio systems: We supply all the gear, do all the setup and deal with all the FCC red tape for your event. When the event is over, BearCom takes all the gear back so you don’t have to mess with it.

Why two-way radios are superior to cell phones

Some event organizers may think cell phones are all they need to keep people talking to each other during major events. This is a risky miscalculation. Cell phone networks are notorious for dead spots, dropped calls and service-level issues — the last thing an event organizer needs. Plus, there are virtually no options for group calling, private conversations, and emergency all-hands alerts. In addition, phone systems can get overwhelmed in emergencies. Two-way radios can handle more capacity and prioritize users and traffic so that the most vital communications are handled first. Two-way radios can also be configured to cover large areas, and with the right infrastructure, they can be more effective than phones in difficult areas like underground parking garages or remote corners of your venue.

The BearCom advantage in radios for events

We talked to Sorin Smalley, who oversees the communication component of Destination Imagination, an event hosted by The University of Tennessee, which is attended by 12,000 high school students. “An impressive result of the wireless solution deployed by BearCom was the cost savings,” Smalley said. “We were able to reduce the number of drivers and vehicles we used by 31 percent, while serving the same number of participants.” Event planners may need hundreds or thousands of radios at a time, and with a rentals fleet of more than 20,000 units, BearCom can supply radios to the largest and highest-profile events in the country. BearCom will be happy to consult with you and develop the perfect plan for your event operations. Contact our Rental Team at: 800.541.9333. [tm_button link_url="/quote/rent/" type="small" icon="fa-arrow-circle-right" icon_align="left" background_color="febd11"]READY TO RENT? Click here![/tm_button]

About BearCom

BearCom provides a broad line of high-performance wireless communications products, services, and complete mobility solutions. Founded in 1981, BearCom is America’s only nationwide dealer and integrator of wireless communications equipment, serves customers from 29 branch offices located throughout the U.S., and employs approximately 360 people. BearCom is headquartered in the Dallas, Texas area. MS_RSCP_K MOTOROLA, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2015 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.