Event Safety ServiceWhat the standard is actually about
The Dutch field standard for event medical care is quoted everywhere but rarely explained. In short: it is the national agreement on what good care at an event looks like, and who is allowed to do what.
Why the standard exists
Care at events used to vary enormously. One organiser arranged an experienced team, another two volunteers with a first aid kit. The standard sets out which quality, responsibilities and competences apply, so a visitor can count on comparable care anywhere.
Medics in categories
The standard works with care levels. Roughly:
- Category 1. Basic first aid: injuries, fainting, minor accidents.
- Category 2. More extensive care with more equipment and more procedures, suited to larger and riskier events.
- Category 3. Acute and emergency care, close to regular emergency healthcare.
Alongside this there is the AZADI line for acute care during alcohol and drug incidents.
What it means for you as an organiser
You do not need to know the standard by heart, but three things matter. Your care provider must demonstrably work to the standard. The staffing must match the risk profile of your event. And the people on site must genuinely be qualified for the level you are buying.
Ask for the paperwork
When you receive a quote, always ask at which level the medics are trained and whether their certificates are valid on the date of your event. A reliable provider will show you without hesitation.
How we work with it
We train our medics in house and monitor the validity of their certificates ourselves. In the care plan we set out which level suits your event and why.