The Red Cross will have up to 120 employees on duty during peak times, it was announced in a press release on Friday. According to the organizer, the festival will take place “as planned”, but visitors must expect longer waiting times due to more thorough checks. The ÖBB is offering special trains.
Ed Sheeran kicks things off
Ed Sheeran will kick things off at “Frequency x-tended” on August 14th. On the following days, Apache 207, The Offspring, RAF Camora, Peter Fox and Cro will perform at the Traisen. Around 50,000 visitors are expected each day at the VAZ site in the Lower Austrian capital.
Up to 120 rescue and emergency paramedics and up to three emergency doctors, as well as crisis intervention and water rescue staff, will be working at seven bases at the same time to ensure the safety of guests from Wednesday to Sunday. Experience has shown that the main tasks include caring for patients with minor (cut) injuries or insect bites or circulatory problems. “After that, most people can usually return to the festival straight away,” it was said.
Red Cross gives tips
“We are there around the clock if festival guests need our help. Especially after insect bites and if symptoms such as swelling or circulatory problems occur, one of our medical centers should be visited immediately,” said district commander Erich Winkler.
The Red Cross recommended wearing sturdy shoes in camping areas to avoid injuries. According to the current forecast, it will be hot during the day. People were advised not to forget to wear sun protection and a hat and to drink plenty of fluids – primarily in the form of non-alcoholic drinks. Warm clothes should also be taken along for the night.
Months of planning
The Red Cross’s planning, which has been ongoing for months, includes not only the organization of equipment and material – from supply tents to bandages and medicines to food – but also the construction of the infrastructure and, above all, the organization of the staff. The employees come from the St. Pölten region, but some also travel from other federal states to serve at the festival.
The ÖBB is offering additional train connections and extra seats around the long weekend. There are also special trains from St. Pölten to Vienna. A separate “Special Train Frequency 2024” ticket is required for these connections, it was announced in a press release on Friday. ÖBB standard tickets are not accepted on the special trains.
No concrete indications of danger
According to the Lower Austria State Police Directorate, there are “no concrete indications of a specific threat to the festival in St. Pölten.” After the arrest of terror suspects in connection with plans to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, there is still “an abstract increased danger,” it said on Thursday.
