The Capital Region of Denmark's emergency medical services, Copenhagen Police and the City of Copenhagen will hold a joint press conference on Friday 1 November at 17:30.
The press conference will be held at the mobile treatment centre on Regnbuepladsen in Copenhagen, right by City Hall Square. The press will be given a tour of the treatment centre, learn about the police's special efforts during December, meet the municipality's Natteværter (night hosts) and representatives from all parties taking part in the collaboration.
A festive atmosphere can involve illness, injury and insecurity
The Christmas period is a time of celebration, but too much alcohol and high spirits can sometimes cause illness, injury and insecurity.
This is why the Capital Region of Denmark’s emergency medical services, Copenhagen Police and the City of Copenhagen’s Natteværter (night hosts) have joined forces to ensure that Copenhageners can safely enjoy the city’s nightlife when the season’s festivities commence with the release of Tuborg’s Christmas beer on 1 November.
The Capital Region of Denmark's emergency medical services are opening a mobile treatment centre at Regnbuepladsen. The centre is a large yellow truck that can unfold and function as a mobile emergency department and referrals office.
The truck is 17 metres long and has 130 m2 of space for treatment. It will be staffed by doctors and nurses on certain nights during the Christmas period through to New Year's Eve.
"When there’s so many people partying in a single area, a number of people will inevitably be injured and need emergency help. Having a mobile treatment centre in the heart of the city again this year means we’ll be able to improve safety for citizens who need emergency medical help and relieve emergency departments and ambulances," says Christoffer Buster Reinhardt (Conservative People's Party), member of the Regional Council and chair of the Health Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark.
Police presence makes the city a safe place for everyone
Copenhagen Police will be present throughout the evening, including a group of motorcycle officers from the traffic unit, officers from emergency response services and mounted police.
Citizens should feel safe as they enjoy the nightlife on J Day or on any other day, so the police will be present to ensure that evenings run smoothly. Traffic officers will focus on ensuring that there is no unnecessary traffic in zones off limits to drivers except for access, and that citizens do not drive after taking drugs or drinking too much Christmas beer.
Copenhagen Police's Trygt Natteliv (safe nightlife) initiative will have high priority throughout the Christmas party season, and officers from local police units, emergency response services, mounted police and the traffic unit will be visible on the streets during the biggest office Christmas party days.
"We know that there’ll be a lot of festive people around during the Christmas party period. We’ll therefore be extra visible and accessible to ensure that everyone feels safe in the city,” says Anne Tønnes, Copenhagen Police Commissioner.
Natteværter (night hosts) help de-escalate conflicts
The municipality will also have a strong presence in the inner city on J Day and during the Christmas period with its Natteværter (night hosts). Through visibility, dialogue with patrons and collaboration with other stakeholders, the night hosts will reduce disturbance from the city nightlife and make it safer to enjoy a night out on the town.
The hosts will be easy to spot thanks to their blue uniforms as they welcome guests to the city and set a clear framework for parties and guest behaviour. They can de-escalate a conflict, lend a helping hand and help cool things down if the atmosphere on the street gets a little too enthusiastic.
It will also be possible to meet the municipality's street project Københavnerteamet (Copenhagen team) and the newTryghedsvagter (safety guards) during the press conference.
Opening hours of the mobile treatment centre
The mobile treatment centre, which is staffed by a doctor and nurses, will be open on the busiest days of the Christmas season to help citizens who get injured or fall acutely ill.
There is no need to book an appointment, and anyone can drop by the treatment centre if they are hurt or feel ill. This is the fourth time that the Capital Region of Denmark’s emergency medical services have set up a mobile treatment centre in the heart of Copenhagen in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
The treatment centre will be open from 21:00 to 04:00 on the following days:
- 1 November (J Day)
- 22 and 23 November
- 29 and 30 November
- 6 and 7 December
- 13 and 14 December
- 31 December (New Year's Eve)
This year again, on 1 November, the treatment centre will be supplemented by a voluntary first-aid station set up by the Capital Region’s emergency response services to provide nightlife patrons with simple first aid, caregiving or just an adult to speak to.
For further information, please contact:
- Press office of the Capital Region of Denmark, tel. +45 70 20 95 88 or write to the press office
- Maiken Riis Friberg, Head of Communications at emergency medical services, tel.: +45 23 66 94 33 or write to Maiken
- Anders Irgang, nightlife coordinator, Natteværterne, City of Copenhagen, tel. + 45 53 70 07 79 or write to Anders
- Just Greger Kielberg, director of operations, Capital Region’s emergency response services, tel. +45 20 35 19 92 or write to Just
- Mette Hedegaard, communication consultant at Copenhagen Police, tel. +45 21 38 70 95 or write to Mette
- Contact person on 1 November for questions for the Copenhagen Police traffic unit: Peter Veje, inspector at the Copenhagen Police traffic unit, tel. +45 61 19 50 86