Meet Steve Deighton, Essex International Jamboree 2024’s Safety Director. Whilst you may hear the words ‘Safety Director’ for an EIJ-scale event and subsequently imagine death by risk assessment (ironically!), Steve's reflections place his role as one of the most rewarding EIJ has to offer!
But what exactly is the role of EIJ’s Safety Director? According to the man himself, it covers “[all] aspects of the event from a safety point of view [...] Health & Safety, security, welfare, safeguarding, traffic management, event management planning, local liaising, fire and medical provision.”
Whilst this may seem like an overwhelming amount to be responsible for, Steve found it was easier to continually keep on top of tasks, rather than let them pile up.
“As with all major events, the road is long [and] I found the secret was to do a little, often. I won’t lie, there is a lot of work [and] this is where your team comes in; you have to rely on them to deliver!”
The team spirit that accompanies the role made Steve feel part of the “very big family,” at EIJ.
As Safety Director, he attended the Build Week before the main Jamboree had even begun, feeling that “it is important to set the right ethos from the very start.”
Steve was Deputy Safety Director at the ill-fated 2020 Jamboree, and was onsite when the event was cancelled due to COVID-19. Having been involved in much of the planning in the lead up to the event, this assisted him for EIJ 2024.
As a Contract Manager for an acoustic construction company, Steve also has some experience with “health & safety (…) along with risk assessments, site staff, welfare etc.,” whilst also running a sailing centre in his Scouting role meant that he understood the “constant rigours of modern day safety,” within a Scouting context.
As Safety Director, the holder is accountable for many aspects of the jamboree, and as such, it is essential that applicants have an interest in health and safety, with some experience in event risk assessment helpful too. But most importantly, as Steve said, you’ll need “Drive, lots of drive [and] passion. You need to be excited about safety, flexible & understanding – remember, we are all volunteers, and life always throws the odd curveball.”
He also asserted it is essential to be approachable: “You will get asked lots of questions, not everyone loves safety!”
Finally, “Teamwork; you can’t do this alone!” is another quality Steve emphasises as well as “commitment and, above all else, a good sense of humour!”
But why should you apply? Well, if you’ve been to EIJ before - either as staff or a participant - you will know the shared excitement of the first night. Imagine the buzz, knowing that you were an integral part of the team that made it happen; we can’t run the show without health and safety at the forefront, which makes this role so rewarding.
Steve said it is this feeling of fulfilment on the first night that is the best moment as Safety Director: “For me, it [the most rewarding moment] has to be Arrivals Day.”
“I spent the day getting everyone in, parked and parents away. I walked down EIJ Way, and the buzz was incredible. At that point I realised just what we had achieved.”
Applications to join Essex International Jamboree 2028’s Executive Team as Safety Director, or in another role, are open until June 30th. Applications can be submitted here
