Crowd Manager Required

About 4,000 people have reportedly completed a free, online course to become certified to handle crowds at Massachusetts’ entertainment venues.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said a new state law that took effect June 1 requires bars, nightclubs, discotheques and dance halls to designate one crowd manager for every 250 patrons.

Those certified must be trained and tested every three years. The course is available at the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services website 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The law is a reaction to the devastating 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., in which 100 people were killed and 300 injured.