Volunteers raise awareness about fireworks dangers ahead of Eid

DUBAI // The public has been warned about dangers of fireworks as part of a volunteer initiative ahead of the Eid Al Fitr holiday.

The Emirates Foundation’s National Emergency Response Volunteer Programme, Sanid, in cooperation with Dubai Police, launched the 23-day campaign during Ramadan. It involved education about safety measures and dealing with injuries caused by fireworks.

Sanid volunteers held workshops on topics such as emergency first aid and evacuation and rescue procedures. The workshops also included advanced emergency response volunteer training on disaster preparedness, medical operations, fire safety, disaster psychology, search and rescue, and first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

“We have launched this campaign in cooperation with the Dubai Police as part of our efforts to provide logistical support to official bodies specialised in the field of emergency and crisis response,” said Maytha Al Habsi, chief programme officer at Emirates Foundation.

Brig Abdullah Ghaithi, director of the security, enterprises and emergency administration at Dubai Police, said: “We are delighted to be working with the volunteers of the National Emergency Response Programme on this campaign.

“We were impressed by the volunteers’ advanced abilities in emergency response, particularly in first aid, and the way they dealt with crisis situations, as well as their passion to help others.”

Dubai Police hold an annual firework education campaign during Ramadan and this year top football players from the UAE took part in the initiative. It is illegal in the UAE to buy or sell fireworks without a licence. Last year, more than 8,000 boxes of illegal fireworks were seized in the emirate of Dubai during Ramadan.