Whether it’s a city run, corporate run or half marathon: safety starts long before the starting gun. If you plan in a structured way from an early stage, you protect participants, spectators and crew – and comply with all requirements at the same time.
The medical service (sanitätsdienst) is only one building block. What really matters are clear roles, solid Notfallplanung (emergency planning) and a robust interplay between course, traffic, crowd and communications.
Law & authorities – no permit, no start
In Vienna, event safety for running events (veranstaltungssicherheit) is governed by the veranstaltungsgesetz (Vienna Events Act). Responsibility usually lies with the Municipal Department for Trade, Fire Prevention and Events – MA 36 (ma36). For public events, an veranstaltungsbewilligung wien (event permit for Vienna) is required depending on the type and scale of the event. Details and responsibilities can be found directly on the City of Vienna website and in the legal text.
Races that use public roads also require traffic orders: closures, diversions, signage and no-parking zones fall under the Austrian Road Traffic Regulations (Straßenverkehrsordnung). In Vienna, this is handled by MA 46 (Traffic Management) – keyword stvo-bewilligung straßensperre. Planning and applications should start early, as verkehrsmaßnahmen (traffic measures) involve multiple stakeholders.
Safety concept – the heart of the plan
The safety concept for the run (sicherheitskonzept lauf) brings together risks, measures and responsibilities. It creates a shared picture for authorities, emergency services and partners – from the start corridor to the finish funnel.
Depending on the size of the event, the following elements are typical core chapters:
- Risk analysis: weather, heat, slippery surfaces, bottlenecks, construction sites.
- Emergency planning: scenarios (fall, mass collapse, power failure), alert chain, evakuierungsplan (evacuation plan).
- Stewarding & security: briefing points, radio channels, interfaces with security Wien.
- Course protection: absperrungen (barriers), lead vehicle, sweep vehicle, crossing management.
- Traffic measures: diversions, resident information, public transport coordination, delivery windows.
- Communication: site map, radio call signs, back-up if networks fail.
- Medical service: network of posts, mobile teams, transport routes, handover point for the ambulance service.
Mini example: with 2,500 runners and a risk of rain, the planning team defines slippery cobblestone sections as hotspots, extends the finish funnel by 20 metres and increases the ordnerdienst (stewarding) around the photo wall.
Course & crowd management
The course layout determines flow and safety. In built-up areas – keyword eventsicherheit wien – avoid two-way traffic, tight 90° turns shortly after the start and crossings with no line of sight.
Typical risks and countermeasures can be summarised as follows:
| Hotspot | Risk | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Start corridor | Congestion, falls | Wide pre-start area, start waves, additional absperrungen (barriers) |
| Narrow alley | Two-way traffic, crowding | streckensicherung (course protection) with steward pairs, one-way routing |
| Crossing points | Pedestrians/cyclists crossing the route | Temporary barriers, marshals, acoustic announcements |
| Finish area | Overcrowding, dehydrated runners | Extended finish funnel, water station before the medal wall |
On top of that, resident communication and verkehrsmaßnahmen (e.g. delivery windows) are crucial so that the run works as a temporary guest in the street space – without conflict and without surprises.
Medical & emergencies
The medical service (sanitätsdienst) follows a simple logic: visible posts at hotspots, mobile teams on the move, clear transport routes. Erste Hilfe (first aid) already starts with well-trained volunteers and structured AED deployment (defibrillator).
A practical rettungskette (rescue chain) for the event:
- Detect & report: any irregularity is reported via radio (location, condition, need).
- Secure: stewards secure the scene, guide participants past, reinforce absperrungen where needed.
- Initial measures: erste hilfe (first aid) by team/volunteer, request AED (defibrillator).
- Treatment: the sanitätsdienst takes over and decides on stand-down/transport.
- Handover: coordinated handover to the ambulance service, documentation, feedback to incident command.
Practical tip: define a medical “hub” in the finish area, mark the access route and document alternative routes (construction sites, bollards, clearance heights).
Communication & operations on race day
Without clear radio discipline and situational awareness, valuable time is lost on race day. Define call signs, channels and escalation levels – and print a short version on pocket laminates.
Roles and communication paths can be structured as follows:
| Role | Core task | Primary channel |
|---|---|---|
| Incident command | Makes decisions, sets priorities, maintains contact with authorities | Radio “EL”, phone as backup |
| Course manager | streckensicherung, closures, re-openings | Radio “Strecke”, runner app dashboard |
| Head of medical | Deploys sanitätsdienst, manages reporting points and hospitals | Radio “Med”, direct line to ambulance service |
| Security service | ordnerdienst, access control, conflict prevention | Radio “Sec”, close coordination with incident command |
Fallbacks are part of the plan: if mobile networks fail, short-range radios keep working; if radio fails, the assembly-point plan applies. Test this the evening before in a 15-minute dry run.
Checklist for organisers (short & sharp)
This sequence has proved effective in practice. Add project-specific points and track deadlines consistently.
- Clarify authorities: contact MA 36/MA 46, fix deadlines & conditions (veranstaltungsbewilligung wien, verkehrsmaßnahmen).
- Finalise the Sicherheitskonzept lauf: risks, evakuierungsplan, notfallplanung, roles.
- Secure the route: absperrungen (barriers), marshal points, crossings, signage.
- Contract medical service: network of posts, AEDs (defibrillator), equipment depots.
- Brief ordnerdienst/security service: radio, hand signals, escalation levels (security wien).
- Inform residents and participants: times, closures, public transport alternatives.
- Dress rehearsal: radio check, drive emergency routes, test the finish funnel.
After the event is before the next event: debrief, lost property, damage reports, lessons learned – and block future dates in good time.
Planning a city run in Austria and want event safety without question marks? PSM Austria supports you with planning, medical service (sanitätsdienst), ordnerdienst, streckensicherung and coordination with authorities – reliably and pragmatically for eventsicherheit wien. Get in touch early so that permits and resources are in place on time.
