A representative from the Tampa Sports Authority updated the Tampa City Council on safety measures that they anticipate to put in place for the 2017 music festival.
These new measures come after two people died from attending the festival in May 2016 and nearly sixty others taken to the hospital. First responders said the medical issues stemmed from dehydration and drug usage.
List of new safety measures:
- Additional "off duty" paramedics
- Additional "off duty" police
- More cooling stations and drinking fountains
- More event ambassadors to find people with medical issues
A fire/rescue representative said the festival negatively impacted calls for service in West Tampa while the event was taking place.
"We were able to manage that by moving some units around. This year we are asking for a higher level of off duty staff," said a fire department spokesperson.
Tampa Sports Authority directors believe the concert promoter will pay for the additional safety measures.
The next SMF is planned for May 2017.
