The annual festival is expecting to see an estimated 85,000 people attend the event each day, with the vast majority of them camping out throughout the weekend.
The annual festival is expecting to see an estimated 85,000 people attend the event each day, with the vast majority of them camping out throughout the weekend.
With the typical British Summer time weather continually proving to be very unpredictable festival goers have been urged to bring their wellies as well as their sun cream!
Safety will be top of the list this year again with West Midlands Ambulance Service working in partnership with Venture Event Medical Management and St. John Ambulance, to ensure first-class medical services are available onsite for the thousands attending festival, making it one of the safest festivals in the country.
There will be more than 200 staff and volunteers working throughout the weekend, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, managers, first aiders, control room staff and logistics staff.
A command and control centre will be set up on site, staffed by managers, call takers and dispatchers who will co-ordinate ambulances and other medical staff who will be stationed within the main arena and in the campsite areas. These staff will be on hand to assess and treat anyone who should become ill or injured during the weekend.
There will also be a self-contained medical centre staffed by doctors, nurses and staff from St. John Ambulance. The centre will be equipped to deal with all types of injuries, avoiding any unnecessary trips to A&E, meaning the festival goers can continue to enjoy the music.
Talking about the festival Steve Wheaton, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer said: “West Midlands Ambulance Service has been working closely with Venture Event Medical Management and St. John Ambulance to ensure first-class medical cover for anyone at the festival who needs it.
“Over the years I have encountered huge variations in the weather throughout festivals events. The weather during the week running up to and over this year’s’ festival period is currently predicted as overcast, showers, with some sunny intervals!
“Savvy festival goers are urged to bring their wellies and sensible footwear to help avoid any unnecessary slips and falls, as well as some sun cream should the sun decide to shine over the park.
“The Trust itself has also prepared for all weather conditions and alongside our ambulances, we will be deploying a number specialist vehicles, including a 6×6 all terrain vehicle, fitted with specialist stretchers and medical equipment, and a number of 4×4 vehicles, which will help staff gain access to people who become injured during the event.
“The V Festival is a fun, good natured and overall has a history of being a very safe event. We ask that people take care of themselves to avoid any unnecessary visits to our medical centre. It is important that festival goers are sensible with their intake of alcohol and I would advise people to drink plenty of water and soft drinks to avoid dehydration and please remember to eat regularly.”
Glen Curry, Regional Events Manager from St John Ambulance, said: “The V Festival is one of the biggest first aid operations of the year for St John Ambulance in Staffordshire and we will be providing a 150-strong team of healthcare professionals, ambulance crews, first aiders and support staff who will be working alongside colleagues at West Midlands Ambulance Service and Venture Event Medical Management at this year’s event. The first aid team is trained and ready to deal with all kinds of injuries and medical conditions ranging from cut fingers to cardiac arrests. We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but we urge people to be sensible about the way they celebrate because no partygoer wants to end up as a patient.”
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