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Event Help Chain
"After 15 kilometres, my son was taken out of the Amsterdam Marathon. He had a heatstroke." Thanks to the vigilance and adequate action of the people of the Red Cross, worse has been prevented." This is what a grateful mother wrote to the Red Cross, after event rescuers rescued her son. A practical example that shows the different links of Event Help.
The discussion partners are Teun Pilon, location coordinator Event Assistance in the Groningen district, Roel Priems, district coordinator Event Help in Brabant-Noord, Annelin Kuijters, coordinator Emergency Response Twente and Lianne Schut, product manager Event Assistance from the association office.
How broad their work area is becomes immediately clear in the conversation. "Event help includes all the plannable help from the Red Cross," says Roel. "Every now and then we are called up at the last minute. Sometimes, as a volunteer, you get a request in the morning and you have to be there in the evening," Teun adds. Lianne: "We offer first aid at various events. Those seeking help receive responsible assistance, which means that an injury is treated efficiently and effectively by Red Cross First Responders present."
Roel:
“Event help includes all plannable help from the Red Cross”
Request
There is a whole journey that precedes the deployment of an event. This process is set up differently for each district. Many districts receive applications locally. Annelin: "It is a deliberate choice to put the location in charge." "Most location coordinators have a lot of experience, because they have been fulfilling this role for years," Lianne adds. The location coordinator also receives requests in Brabant-Noord. District coordinator Roel: "All deployments that require fewer than eight volunteers are organized by the location coordinator himself. For larger events, we put together a project group." Teun: "In Groningen, we have an event agency where all requests come in for the entire district. Events where more than four volunteers are needed will be forwarded to our location coordinator. The location coordinators work together a lot. That's how we help each other. You also work together with the client to create a beautiful event. They need us and we need them." "We sit at the table with various parties," Roel adds. "Think of the Medical Assistance Organization in the Region (GHOR) and the municipality. Prior to an event, we make a care plan together with the organization. So that they can adhere to the legal field standard."
Teun:
“hey need us and we need them”
Everyone involved
The entire association is involved in Event Help. Annelin: "The scope of work is so broad: bike teams, liaison service, logistics, medical service, site and district coordinators, district managers and product managers." "As the Red Cross, we really do it together," says Lianne. Districts are also working together. Teun: "From Groningen, we work a lot with Drenthe, including the bike team. If Drenthe needs people, we go there and vice versa."
Day of the event
After the preparation, it's time for the event itself. Roel: "First, people from logistics will bring the materials, followed by the Liaison Service. Later, the aid workers arrive. They are briefed by the team leader." During this briefing, it becomes clear what kind of event it is and which injuries must be taken into account. Roel: "Of course we hope for a nice and pleasant day, but if something happens, we are ready for it." Depending on the type of event, a team leader, deployment leader, or site or district coordinator will be present. Teun: "In Groningen, the location and district coordinator are on picket duty if they are not physically present at an event. This means that we are always available by phone for the volunteers present when an event is running."
Year-round event season
There is no longer any question of a defined event season. Lianne: "The Netherlands really is an event country." "There are big activities almost every week. For example, professional football runs almost all year round, alternating with ice hockey in the winter. It's only between the end of December and the end of January that it's a little quieter," says Roel. "That's where the challenge lies," Annelin explains. "Sometimes the event calendar is quite a puzzle. We have to make sure that the events are varied, so that the offer fits the needs and qualities of our volunteers."
Annelin:
“The event calendar is quite a puzzle”
What we do, we do well
Annelin: "Sometimes it is difficult to say 'no' to an application. Especially if something has been done for years." Teun: "You also have events that are not only in the district, but also nationwide. If one district says 'no', it can have an oil slick in other districts." Ensuring quality is the most important thing. "What we do, we do well," says Lianne. Roel: "If the organization does not provide a good first aid room, we sometimes have to refuse an event."
The two product managers, Wim Scheper and Lianne Schut, are responsible for all policy on Event Help. They ensure that all care providers can provide high-quality help. Lianne: "We set frameworks within which the Event Help must be carried out. We have to deal with laws and regulations, such as the first aid guidelines and the Field Standard. I'm aware that I'm not in the field and we can't write policy from our desk. That is why we use the input of the Emergency Response Coordinators and the district and location coordinators. They are our advisors. We regularly check with them whether what we have come up with also works in the field. Only then will policy have a chance of success. In addition, we regularly visit events and districts. That's necessary and a lot of fun at the same time."
Lianne:
“I'm aware that we can't write policy from our desk”
Best events
Teun: "4Mile is the most beautiful event for me. It's tightly organized. In particular, the cooperation, togetherness and conviviality are great. It's a real party!" "My favorite is Jazz in Duketown," Roel says. "It takes place in the entire city center of Den Bosch. There will be stages all over the city. "In Twente we have the Military in Boekelo," says Annelin. "That never ceases to amaze me. When we're done with one edition, we're already preparing for the next one. I also get feedback that first responders get a lot of satisfaction from smaller events. For example, if a local benefit evening can still go ahead thanks to two Red Cross volunteers who provide first aid."