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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Emergency Preparedness for Large-scale Events
Module Code MNA1114 (ITS: MT5155)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Description

This module prepares students to take on the challenge of emergency management at large-scale events. Students study current international standards, event risk management, crowd management, stakeholder management, and event emergency management. They also develop competencies in dynamic decision making and effective communication. The module is delivered using a combination of lectures, in-class activities, and fieldwork at live events. Emphasis is placed on reflective, critical thinking and dealing with complexity and uncertainty.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E26299F-3EE8-0001-3F18-13403B90E260
2. explain the processes, principles and practice of crowd and event safety
4. 7,11
5. 1
6. 1E26299F-5F91-0001-4941-4F4019C01C25
7. examine the roles and responsibilities of event staff and key stakeholders
9. 6,9
10. 2
11. 1E26299F-7EBF-0001-9FFC-400013C814EB
12. recognise the importance, function and benefits of event planning and event control
14. 7,6,9
15. 3
16. 1E26299F-BA48-0001-3756-87D641901123
17. demonstrate good practice in emergency management at events (e.g. responsibility and sustainability)
19. 8,17
20. 4


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture24Attendance & Participation
Field Trip7Fieldwork - Attending an event location/site
Assignment Completion20Portfolio Preparation
Independent Study74Reading & Research
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN21178Part of TermSemester 2
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorGavin BrownModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PortfolioIndividual Learning Portfolio Students will document and reflect on the experience gained from in-class learning activities and fieldwork. The portfolio will provide evidence of their development and the meeting of module learning outcomes. The portfolio will be divided into two key themes; all with an emergency management focus: 1. Event Planning 2. Event Management In both sections students should demonstrate a practical understanding of the material (moving from theory to practice). Students must complete a portfolio that demonstrates evidence of learning and personal development linked to all three themes within the domain of emergency management.100%Sem 2 End
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Event Planning
1. The purpose and essential components of an event plan - along with the approval process (pre-event) - A) Stages in planning for large scale events; B) Developing an organisational chart and timeline.



2. Review of key models/good practice, including: Irish Codes of Practice (Code of Practice for Safety at Outdoor Pop Concerts and other musical events, Code of Practice for Safety at Indoor Concerts, Code of Practice for Safety at Sports Grounds – issued by the Department of Education); UK - the Purple Guide to health, safety and welfare at music and other events



3. Providing a safe event: A) Event emergency planning and preparedness (e.g. evacuation planning; mass casualty plan) - Preparing for the unexpected (major emergency management); B) Risk analysis - Event risk assessment; C) Crowd safety, crowd risks, & crowd management - DIM-ICE (design, information and management – ingress, circulation, egress); RAMP (routes, areas, movement and profile); & Risk perception & crowd behaviour; D) Site planning, training & rehearsals; E) Cost-Benefit Analysis.

Event Management
1. Incident prevention – The operational site during the event.

2. Incident response (co-ordinated) – The incident site during the event.

3. Event control. 3A -- Design & Management: A) Emergency/Incident detection; B) Information systems & communication; C) Unified information dissemination. 3B -- Information management & decision making (incl. logging): A) Recording / Logging

4. Event staff & stakeholder management: A) Roles and responsibilities (e.g. event controller & safety officer); B) Briefings and debrief

Live Event
Monitor and review a large-scale event.

Business continuity note: If this is not possible, the student(s) will undertake an examination (using historical data and document analysis) of a major emergency at an event site.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Still, G.K.,: 2014, Introduction to crowd science, CRC Press,
  • Nunez, E. and Vendrell, E.G.,: 2016, Managing Critical Incidents and Large-scale Event Security, CRC Press,
  • Ferdinand, N. and Kitchin, P.,: 2016, Events management: an international approach, 2nd Ed, Sage,


Articles:
  • Shipway, R. and Miles, L.: 2020, Bouncing back and jumping forward: scoping the resilience landscape of international sports events and implications for events and festivals., Event Management, 24(1), pp.185-196., 57076
  • 2012: Crowd disasters as systemic failures: analysis of the Love Parade disaster., EPJ Data Science, 1(1), p.7., 57077, 2
  • The management of crowds and other risks at outdoor music festivals: a review of the literature.: Environmental Health,, 5(1), 37.,
Other Resources

  • Guidance Document: IRFU, 2008, EVENT MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK for event organisers of larger events (greater than 3,000 spectators), Dublin, IRFU, https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/irfu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/22111234/IRFU_event-management-large.pdf
  • Policy Document: 2006, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, Dublin. Stationery Office.,
  • Policy Document: A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2010, Guidance Document 1: A guide to risk assessment in major emergency management., Dublin. Stationery Office.,
  • Standard: IEC 31010, 2019, Risk Management: Risk assessment techniques,
  • Standard: ISO 20121, 2012, Event sustainability management systems — Requirements with guidance for use,
  • Standard: ISO 27001, 2013, Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Requirements.,

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