Gurten Festival 2025: Freddy Balsiger ensures security

Freddy Balsiger pulled his black hat deep into the face. However, This Tuesday. For example, the site on the straps is still without an audience, but not long: soon the Festival Kiz, Jorja Smith or Za on. For example, In front of the main stage, a truck is pumping beer into the tanks of a bar. However, Forklifts drive over the site, the floor is still laid.

Freddy Balsiger is responsible for around 25. Consequently, 000 people as security chief of the Gurten Festival daily (including employees), and around 80,000 overall visits the festival in the next few days. However, With around 800 employees, he must be accessible around the clock on all festival days and can be on site immediately. However, “Security is like a gurten festival 2025: freddy balsiger gear: All cogs have to merged perfectly,” he says.

Large contingent for security

What is the most demanding thing about his job? Nevertheless, “Networked thinking,” says Balsiger. Consequently, From the supply of the fire brigade with water via the traffic accesses. Moreover, the emergency exits: Freddy Balsiger has to keep an eye on everything, everything has to work in an emergency. Furthermore, Security is a central part of a festival of this order of magnitude, mistakes can endanger human life here.

The security question has also changed at the Gurten Festival in recent years. Furthermore, has become wider: it is not only about safety on the premises, but also departure to the bus or taxi is the focus and general well -being. For example, No simple task, especially with party people.

The festival guests can celebrate from the afternoon to 5 a.m. Moreover, The site will be cleared until 6 a.m. However, Camping has not been allowed in two years. Balsiger is one of the few who stay on the local mountain. he sleeps in a camper on the edge of the site. “But I am always available,” he says.

In addition to the classic security services such as the Broncos SecurityThose. to ensure that the organization is organized are also on the move. For example. a specially created Careteam in Green West, which is particularly intended to intervene in racism and discrimination, but also in sexual violence and support those affected. It is also new that the belt has hired a security company for the way back from the belt. So far there were no security guards.

New gurten festival 2025: freddy balsiger access to the Gurten Festival

Last year there was an incident on Friday: the capacity had to be increased massively at short notice. it came to Bottlenecks on the belt railway. At that time – approved by the authorities – there were 32,500 people on the belt. “This time it no longer happens,” emphasizes Balsiger.

The new access from the mirror should also help, even if the measure is not related to the incident.

The festival organizers want to “unklift” the access to the site. The new entrance can be reached via a footpath from the SPIEGEL/BLINZERN bus stop to the festival site. is located at the Waldbühne. In addition, a traffic light system should show the arrival the best and easiest way to travel.

For Balsiger, this way to the festival site has always been “an insider tip”. Freddy Balsiger himself grew up in Schliern and ran the path many times. Now the footpath is only “officialized” – with better lighting, additional garbage buckets and its own input. How many will take this path is still unclear. “It would be 10 percent a success,” gurten festival 2025: freddy balsiger says media spokeswoman Nadine Brönnimann. But people would certainly have to get used to the new entrance.

Cameras for additional security. plans for evacuation

In order to keep an eye on the terrain, the Balsiger team also has access to the cameras that are mounted on the straps in neuralgic places. This is particularly important if an evacuation should be necessary. In this case you made sure, says Freddy Balsiger.

This year, 39 flags are hung up for the emergency exits. The required number is calculated using a formula, since one is far above the legally required amount. At the emergency outputs, visitors can open the grille themselves so that the amount can flow. Thus, the whole area is quickly cleared in an incident.

The blue light organizations are also close to the festival. So the fire brigade is on site with a contingent. Doctors are also on the premises. they can be found with the paramedics at the restaurant right next to the mountain station.

More retreat at the Gurten Festival. less noise for the neighborhood

The strap also gurten festival 2025: freddy balsiger has a concept for the people who dance at the concerts primarily: If someone faints or injure themselves for various reasons, teams who can support are behind the closure. Thanks to an increase, you can better grow the people over the closure. The people in front of the stage are trained accordingly.

As mentioned, well -being plays a larger role. At the former location of the Waldbühne there is currently a new stage with the forum. If you no longer feel like falling decibeling on the belt, you can listen to a podcast or a panel.

A desired side effect is that the party tent Cosmodrome has been postponed to the other side of the site. which reduces the sound of the nearby mirror district.

If you no longer feel comfortable for some reason. you can visit the Safer Space, which is located in a small tent on the tent stage area. Specialists also support here. There is a mattress and a few chairs, the space is shielded.

Freddy Balsiger is looking forward to the intensive days. “It is the highlight of the year.” He has been chief of security for three years. Balsiger got the tool for the job on the belt, especially at SBB. There he worked as a gurten festival 2025: freddy balsiger specialist in emergency and crisis management. He also taught emergency and crisis management at ZHAW as a lecturer. He also worked as a fire brigade instructor for over ten years. Additionally, He doesn’t want to burn anything at the Gurten Festival.

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