Security | Infos | - Highfield Festival

General Information

The festival site is not a lawless area.
The festival was planned together with the responsible security authorities and is supervised day and night by the police, the fire brigade and the medical service. In addition, hundreds of stewards (security) are on duty to make the festival safe and to guarantee fun for you and for all participants.

In case of emergency, please contact our security service at any time.
You will find our security service at all crossings, at the entrances to the camping site and at the entrance to the festival grounds.
In case of emergency you can always call 112.

Something seems strange to you? You see something? Say something! It's better to report once too often than once too little.
Please look out for other visitors and help those who need help.
Our security service, the ambulance service, the fire brigade and the police will help you if necessary.
Please do not hesitate to approach them.

Drones and other remote-controlled flying models
The operation of unmanned aerial systems is generally prohibited on the entire festival grounds. An exception to this ban is only possible for the security authorities themselves and for the organiser in consultation with the relevant authorities.

Us for all

We want everybody to feel equally happy and welcome at our festival. We stand for treating each other in an open, tolerant and respectful manner. We embrace equality, diversity and justice without exception and show zero tolerance for any form of discrimination and discriminatory attitudes.

To make the festival an unforgettable experience for everybody, we ask you all to show consideration and moral courage for a safe festival. The organiser and his agents have the right to exercise authority during the entire festival. The instructions of the organiser's security staff must be obeyed.

Anybody wearing clothing of a degrading, homophobic, radical right-wing or other discriminatory nature or who are carrying racist, xenophobic and/or radical propaganda material will not be admitted to the site and will not receive a refund of their ticket. Anybody who attracts attention with statements or behaviour of such a nature on the grounds will be evicted from the festival immediately without a ticket refund.

Awareness

Which way to PANAMA?

What does PANAMA mean?

By asking the question Which way to PANAMA? or simply using the code word PANAMA, anyone who finds themselves in an uncomfortable or insecure situation or is threatened or harassed can get help easily. For example, if you are feeling unwell, overwhelmed, discriminated against, threatened or are the victim of (sexual) assault, etc.

PANAMA is a service that provides help to everyone! There is no need for further explanation when you use the code word!

Every person seeking help needs different types of support and will get the type of support they seek.

You can speak to any member of staff and help will be provided straight away without any questions or assessments.

What does this help look like?

If you are in a situation in which you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or harassed, use the code word PANAMA and we'll get you out of the situation.

We can accompany you to a safe room, where you can rest and get help from the trained awarenss team - the Panama Guides.
We can also accompany you directly to the first-aid room.
We can call your friends.
If you want to leave the festival, we can accompany you.
If you want to file a report to the police, we will also support you in this.

We tailor the help to your needs and wishes. Nothing happens without your consent!

PANAMA Guides

The trained PANAMA guides complement the festival crew and support all other crew members when needed. This means that the guides can be called at any time and to any place to accompany the person in need of help. Their area of operation is the entire festival area (concert area as well as all camping and camper areas, also crew & VIP), at least two guides are permanently present in the PANAMA Safer Space. The guides are directly subordinated to the event management and act as a separate unit. They also include the staff of the support hotline.

Team PANAMA

The PANAMA team is on site from the beginning to the end of the festival and is always available for you.
You feel unsafe, threatened or harassed? You need help or support? Then ask for PANAMA.

You can ask ...

to the bar staff
the festival crew
the security staff
the paramedics
for festival jobbers
to the police
the paramedics
at our Panama Guides

for PANAMA. The staff will help you.

Why is there PANAMA?

The PANAMA concept was established to strengthen the feeling of safety among festival visitors. Asking strangers for help in a threatening situation requires courage. The code word PANAMA reduces inhibitions and makes it easier to ask for help.

PANAMA Guides

The trained PANAMA guides complement the festival crew and support all other crew members when needed. This means that the guides can be called at any time and to any place to accompany the person in need of help. Their area of operation is the entire festival area (concert area as well as all camping and camper areas, also crew & VIP), at least two guides are permanently present in the PANAMA Safe Space. The guides are directly subordinated to the event management and act as a separate unit. They also include the staff of the support hotline.

PANAMA Safer Space

The PANAMA Safer Space is a fixed place as a direct contact point for those seeking help and is clearly marked on the site plan. Despite its central location in the middle of the festival, this Safer Space offers a protected retreat. Our trained PANAMA guides are in charge of the PANAMA Safer Space and can initiate further assistance measures at any time.

We want to continuously improve our services and are asking for your help!

You have already been in a situation where you asked for PANAMA or you have suggestions and wishes?
We would like to constantly improve our help offer in order to be able to support you in the best possible way in the future. Here you can send us your feedback.

Want to contact us?

The PANAMA team is also available for you outside of the festival. If you would like to contact us, you can write to us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Your request will of course be treated confidentially.

Contact us!

Communication

We are security

Our promise: We provide a wealth of information that will help you understand the situation and take the right action.

Information channels

via the screens on the stages
via the stage loudspeakers
electronically via app and Facebook
via CampFM at 90.8 FM
through our team, especially through the on-site security staff.

You have questions? Talk to us!

via the crew at the information stands on the grounds
via the security staff
via e-mail at highfield@fkpscorpio.com

In order to counteract security risks, we carry out intensive admission checks before entering the festival and event grounds.
Our security concept consists of a multitude of measures and security-relevant procedures, which are coordinated and implemented together with the police and the responsible security authorities.

Of course, the issue of security also concerns other festival organisers. Therefore, we have intensively exchanged information with other organisers and developed joint concepts.

Health

Noise levels
You love music – that is probably the most important reason why you have come to the festival. But please bear in mind that you will be exposed to a very high level of noise on the festival grounds. This will be measured continuously, but we nevertheless recommend that you wear earplugs for protection. Earplugs are available at the info point. We want you to be able to enjoy music for a long time to come. So look after your hearing!

Tripping hazards and sharp edges
The festival site is as large as several football pitches. We do our best to make every square foot as safe and trip-free as possible, and we promptly fix any potential sharp edge. However, it cannot be ruled out that, despite all our efforts, possible tripping hazards or one or the other sharp edge may be present. Therefore we would ask you to please enter the festival grounds with the right footwear, appropriate clothing and with the necessary caution. Please report any hazards to us so that we can eliminate them.

Drugs
Procuring and consuming notifiable items and substances of any kind (drugs) on the festival grounds is illegal.

Crowdsurfing
....is prohibited due to its extremely high risk of injury.

Kids And Adolescents Under The Age Of 16

Permission form will be available before the festival.

According to German law (Personensorgegesetz and Jugendschutzgesetz), parents have to decide whether children and adolescents participate in a festival or not. The German Civil Code (BGB) stipulates that parents are responsible for the care of their minor (under 18) child. Parents have the final say about travelling to, participating in and staying at a festival. In addition, legal rules are in effect about sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. If encountered smoking or drinking, minors can be sent home.

We strongly suggest that all visitors under 16 years of age carry a written permission by their parents or legal guardian. A copy of such a permission can be downloaded here. Please fill our correctly, have it signed and keep it handy.

Kids And Adolescents Under The Age Of 18

Permission form will be available before the festival.

According to German law (Personensorgegesetz and Jugendschutzgesetz), parents have to decide whether children and adolescents participate in a festival or not. The German Civil Code (BGB) stipulates that parents are responsible for the care of their minor (under 18) child. Parents have the final say about travelling to, participating in and staying at a festival. In addition, legal rules are in effect about sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. If encountered smoking or drinking, minors can be sent home.

We strongly suggest that all visitors under 18 years of age carry a written permission by their parents or legal guardian. A copy of such a permission can be downloaded here. Please fill our correctly, have it signed and keep it handy.

Cannabis & Drugs

Cannabis

Since this year, adults are allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use. Consumption in the immediate presence of minors is prohibited. It is also forbidden to distribute, pass on, or provide cannabis for immediate consumption. These legal regulations also apply throughout the entire festival grounds. We would like to point out that minors (accompanied by a person responsible for their care with a so-called 'party note') may be present at the festival, and therefore the consumption ban in their immediate presence must be observed.

Drugs

The procurement, consumption, and distribution of any kind of narcotics (drugs) is prohibited on the festival grounds just as it is outside the festival grounds.

Weather

Sun
Protect your skin with sunscreen. We recommend that you wear a head covering. Drink plenty of water. There are drinking water points on the festival grounds where you can get water for free. Take care of each other!

Rain
Wellies are not only fashionable but also practical on the field and rain ponchos are a MUST in any festival luggage. Rain ponchos are not for sale. If you run things with electricity at your campsite, please remember: water and electricity don't mix well - a socket or cable should not be in a puddle.

Storms
The safest place to be at a festival in the countryside during a storm is in your car. Please offer other festival guests shelter in your car and draw attention to free spaces in your vehicle by switching on the hazard lights - new friendships are definitely pre-programmed!

Wind
When it is stormy, avoid wooded areas and trees! Branches can break off, fall down and cause serious injuries. Always close your tent and secure loose items before entering the festival area. Open tents fly away, closed tents remain standing! Avoid the immediate vicinity of any structures on the site (e.g. light towers, loudspeaker towers, etc.). Of course we comply with all safety regulations and all structures are approved by the responsible authorities, but despite all precautions there is always a residual risk. As safe as our large tents and cash tents are, they too have to be closed when the wind reaches a certain strength because safe operation can no longer be guaranteed. For this reason, these are usually the first to be closed. Please understand this, should you ever notice this.

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Police
The police will be present at the festival. There is a police station on the festival grounds, which is manned day and night.
The police will be there for you and will take care of your safety in addition to the security service.

If you need help quickly on the festival grounds, dial the police emergency number - 110.

You can also contact our security service directly, report to the info point or call the "festival police" at any time: 0351/21297 220.

Please do not hesitate to report anything that seems strange to you, even if you are not sure if it is really an emergency. You see something? Say something! Do something! Dial 110! It's better to report once too often than once too little.

Theft
Bring only as few valuables as absolutely necessary. Valuables do not belong unattended in a tent. Take them to the official lockers. What you don't absolutely need, lock it away or don't bring it to the festival in the first place. No matter how good the show is, watch your valuables and especially people who may be standing uninvolved in the crowd and not following the music. Cell phones are often recovered. Therefore, report any theft to the police. Even if you have only "lost" the cell phone. Lost property is accepted and stored at the Infopoint.

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Medical emergency
Call 112 - If you don't have a cell phone, ask others to make an emergency call, or go to the nearest steward position (entrance, SOS tower, patrol on bike or foot, etc.)

If it is a medical emergency, the paramedics at the festival will also be alerted. Be prepared to answer the following questions:

Where is the person?
What happened?
What number of people are injured?
Which Injuries have they suffered?
Who is reporting? (Name will do)
Wait for further questions!

There’s a lot you can do yourself after that - even without first aid training!

Protect your own safety: You must first protect yourself before helping others. When it is safe to do so, you can start giving first aid.
Offer reassurance and comfort. Injured people are usually scared and need reassurance that help is on the way.
Ask more people to brief the ambulance service - an ambulance or paramedic team on foot will be with you soon.
Set up a shield so that the injured person does not feel observed by strangers. This is important to many injured people.

If you have some basic knowledge of emergency medical care, you can accomplish a lot with these schemes.

Fire
As we all know, it’s better to be safe than sorry! So it's best to prevent fires from happening in the first place! Therefore, you should observe the following rules:

Use only approved gas cartridges (caution: otherwise there is a risk of injury!).
No open fire!
Make sure that all barbecues (even disposable ones!) are out before going to the concert area.
Don’t simply throw cigarette butts away, especially in dry wooded areas.

If a fire occurs, swift action is required. The longer it burns, the more difficult it becomes to extinguish the fire.

So, even here: Always call 112 first. If you don't have a cell phone, ask others to make an emergency call, or go to the nearest steward position (entrance, SOS tower, patrol on bike or foot, etc.).

The crew will put your emergency call through to the fire service on the festival site. Be prepared to answer the following questions:

Where is the fire?
What is burning?
What number of people are injured?
Which Injuries have they suffered?
Who is reporting? (Name will do)
Wait for further questions!

Attention: You must get out of danger first! Never underestimate a fire, especially with smoke. Only once you are sure that you are no longer in danger, can you intervene and provide first aid.

Please note: 80 per cent of all fire victims do not die from burn injuries but due to the inhalation of toxic smoke produced by the fire. Therefore, never underestimate smoke and always pay attention to your own safety!

Evacuation

Don't panic, an evacuation is usually only a temporary measure. In most cases, festival operations will resume after the interruption.

The safest place at a festival in the countryside is the car. Here you are protected from possible storms and also have the advantage that you can receive our festival-owned radio station CampFM via your car radio. This is your information channel that provides you with the necessary information in a timely manner.

In the unforeseen event of an evacuation of the grounds, there are numerous emergency exits at your disposal. You can recognise the (emergency) exits by the general emergency exit symbols. Orientate yourself in the area and remember the nearest emergency exit. The regular exit is usually further away.
If you are asked to leave the area as quickly as possible via the various exits, move calmly but quickly to the nearest (emergency) exit. The more gates are used, the quicker the area is evacuated.
Please listen to our security staff. They are trained and know what to do. They will ensure your safety with their actions and instructions.

How is an evacuation communicated?
The evacuation will be announced from the stages. A crew member will explain the situation and ask you to leave the venue and go to your car. Help others and give shelter in your car to guests who have not arrived in their own car.

Festival app
Facebook, Twitter
Festival radio CampFM