Staff Calculator
Work out how many staff you need for your event
Planning a safe event can be complex, and determining the right level of medical cover is one of the most critical steps. This calculator is built on the Health & Safety Executive’s “Purple Guide” scoring system to give you an evidence-based starting point for your medical provision. Answer the questions below to generate your event risk score and see the recommended staffing level.
This tool provides a guide only. High-risk or complex events should always be supported by a bespoke, site-specific medical needs assessment. Contact our team for a formal risk assessment.
Staffing by Event Tiers
Attendance-based guidance for the minimum recommended medical provision at each event tier.
| Tier | Attendance | Recommended Staffing |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1Low risk | < 500 attendees | Minimum of 1 to 2 qualified first aiders or first responders. |
| Tier 2Low risk | 500 – 2,000 attendees | Essential minimum of 4 first responders, with a desirable addition of 1 paramedic or nurse and a site ambulance. |
| Tier 3 | 2,001 – 5,000 attendees | Essential team of 1 paramedic, 2 nurses, 6 responders, and 1 crewed ambulance. |
| Tier 3 | 5,001 – 10,000 attendees | Essential team of 2 paramedics, 2 nurses, 8 responders, and 1 crewed ambulance. |
| Tier 4 | 10,000 – 20,000 attendees | Essential team of 1 doctor, 2 paramedics, 4 nurses, 8 responders, and 1 crewed ambulance. |
Risk Calculator Score Conversion Table
| Score | First Responder | Ambulances / Personnel | Doctor | Nurse | Ambulance Manager | Support Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 20 | 4 | 0 / 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21-25 | 6 | 1 / 2 | 0 | 0 | VISIT | 0 |
| 26-30 | 8 | 1 / 2 | 0 | 0 | VISIT | 0 |
| 31-35 | 12 | 2 / 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 36-40 | 20 | 3 / 10 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 41-50 | 40 | 4 / 12 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 51-60 | 60 | 4 / 12 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| 61-65 | 80 | 5 / 14 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
| 66-70 | 100 | 6 / 16 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 2 |
| 71-75 | 150 | 10 / 24 | 9 | 18 | 6 | 3 |
| > 75 | 200+ | 15+ / 35+ | 12+ | 24+ | 8+ | 3 |
Based on the Health & Safety Executive’s Purple Guide scoring system. This is a guide only — the ultimate responsibility for adequate and competent medical provision rests with the event organiser.
Overview of Martyn’s Law Tiers & Staff Requirements
Standard Tier
200 – 799 capacity
Venues focus on procedural readiness rather than heavy physical security. Staff must know how to evacuate, lock down, report suspicious behaviour, and communicate during an emergency.
Enhanced Tier
800+ capacity
Venues must implement active measures like CCTV, bag searches, risk assessments, and designated compliance oversight, alongside comprehensive staff training.
Medical & Staffing Guidance
While the core legislation emphasises security, emergency medical preparedness and staff capability are integrated into compliance and sector-specific guidance (such as for healthcare settings and large public events):
- Role-Appropriate Training: Training must match the specific responsibilities of the staff member and align with the operating environment rather than just providing generic awareness.
- Emergency Response & First Aid: Guidance recommends embedding immediate life-saving skills — such as critical bleeding control, managing major trauma, and utilising essential emergency medical supplies — into staff preparedness plans, emphasising the critical early response (the “platinum ten minutes”) following an incident.
- Staffing Levels: Organisations are expected to maintain adequate staffing with appropriate training on-site during operational hours or events to ensure emergency plans, evacuations, and initial medical/security responses can be executed swiftly.