Stadium concert safety relies on the interplay of many factors
Jarmo Vinkvist, Director of International Affairs and Public Relations at Erillisverkot, and Mauri Kataja, Head of Customer Relations, discussed safety communications at large-scale events. In addition to his primary role, Mauri has served in supervisory positions within the security organisations for large public events, working for the company Aican Turva Ltd. Jarmo attended Eppu Normaali’s final concert at Ratina in his free time.
Jarmo asks: How were the safety arrangements for the concert implemented?
Mauri replies: Behind large-scale events lies a massive operation dedicated to ensuring that everything proceeds safely and according to plan. For the attendees, this is visible in the form of security personnel – there were over 300 of them at Ratina. Additionally, a first-aid team consisting of various professionals was on-site. Event security was managed from the operations center by a security manager and duty officers. Representatives from various public safety authorities were also present on-site to ensure seamless cooperation.
There were no particular challenges during the concert. Anticipating potential situations and thorough planning proved highly beneficial. Communication traffic was heavy before the gates opened; effective communication is essential for smooth collaboration.
To what extent was the Virve 2 service used, and was the usage active?
The security company utilised 10–15 Virve 2 terminals, primarily for group voice communication. Additionally, the group video service was used to transmit drone footage to the operations center and to the situational awareness systems used by the public safety authorities. Virve 2 played an essential role in critical communication.
Which Virve 2 terminal did you use for your communications?
I used a Cybertel LM75 terminal, equipped with a wired remote speaker-microphone (RSM) and an earpiece. The group video service was accessed via a Crosscall Core X5 terminal, which was used to transmit video and thermal imaging footage from a drone.
How would you assess the overall success of critical communication during the concert?
The communication equipment for the concert consisted of Virve terminals and VHF radios. Virve was used for communication between supervisors, first aid personnel, the operations center, and public safety authorities, with several dozen Virve terminals in use. Meanwhile, security company supervisors used VHF radios to maintain contact with personnel within their respective areas of responsibility.
Communication via Virve 2 was seamless, with no disruptions observed. The security staff were experienced in using Virve, and Virve 2 proved highly effective among the users. It is easy and reliable to use, and the availability of various accessories is a welcome feature.
Were the priority and pre-emption functions of Virve 2 tested during the concert?
During the concert, Virve 2 features were tested using terminals equipped with an active network measurement application. Specific measurement terminals were positioned amidst the crowd in high-density areas. The application autonomously performs network measurements, such as load, latency, and communication quality. The results confirmed that the network’s priority and pre-emption functions operated as designed. In the Virve 2 system, communication traffic was transmitted between terminals – as intended – within fractions of a second and without any interference.
Commercial consumer traffic on standard mobile phones remained functional during the concerts, though significant delays were observed. On standard mobile phones there were some challenges, particularly regarding the use of data services.
The final concerts by Eppu Normaali were a resounding success, and Virve 2 has firmly established its role in mission-critical communications.
