Concerns over weekend festival planning

Image 1 of 11

Thousands showed up this weekend to participate in a Downtown Atlanta event called the Caribbean Festival.

But the private event did not make arrangements to have the appropriate emergency personnel and private ambulances on hand in case of emergency.

City inspectors showed up and pointed out the deficiency. Without emergency personnel on hand, the event could not continue.

Kwanza Hall, who is a councilman which represents the downtown area, said he got a call and intervened to keep the festival open. He said he called the city parks department and a short time later, on-duty firefighters were reassigned to cover the event.

A spokesperson said the city was able to move people around and provide the festival protection without any impact on city services. The city also said it will send festival organizers a bill for the manpower loaned to the festival.

FOX 5 News called and sent a message to the chief operator of the event, but did not hear back from them Tuesday evening.