offered by
Department of Fire Services

Crowd Manager Regulations and Training Program

Every Massachusetts nightclub, dance hall, discothèque or bar must have at least one Crowd Manager.

The 2003 Rhode Island Station Nightclub fire killed 100 people and injured 230. After the tragedy, Massachusetts passed new fire safety rules for nightclubs, dance halls, discothèques, and bars.

One change that improved nightclub safety is the rule that a trained crowd manager be on duty when nightclubs are open. Studies show that people look to staff for guidance during emergencies. Crowd managers know how to help patrons leave a building safely. Crowd managers also make sure a building is safe each day.

What would you like to do?

Top tasks

Take the Crowd Manager Online Training Program  What are the Crowd Manager Requirements in MA?  See the list of certified crowd managers (May 2020) 

All other tasks

Information for DFS-Regulated Industries  Nightclub Fire Safety  Fire Safety for the Public 

What you need to know

Code and Fire Prevention Support   Excerpts of the Fire Code on Crowd Manager  Information About Places of Assembly 
Feedback