Bay Area first responders prepare for busy start to 2025
Police, firefighters prepare for large crowds at San Franciscos NYE fireworks
San Francisco firefighters were preparing for a busy night on New Year’s Eve, with the department expecting 100,000 revelers to watch the fireworks along the Embarcadero with a heavy police presence, attracting onlookers from near and far.
SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco firefighters were preparing for a busy night on New Year’s Eve, with the department expecting 100,000 revelers to watch the fireworks along the Embarcadero with a heavy police presence, attracting onlookers from near and far.
"The people here, just the whole excitement, the lights, everything, the food here. It’s San Francisco. Can’t beat it," said Rob Cheung of Sacramento.
"My new year’s resolution is to try to retire," said Sandi Castaneda of Redwood City.
At Fire Boat House 35, firefighters were suiting up for any emergencies, including injuries from celebratory gunfire.
On the same night last year, fireworks would prove to be deadly on Treasure Island.
"Unfortunately, it was an 18-year-old kid. He had set off a firework, didn’t go off, and he went over to check over it, stood over it, and he succumbed to his injuries when it did go off," said Lt. Mariano Elias of the San Francisco Fire Department.
Fireboats patrolled the water, where the professional fireworks display was set off.
The California Highway Patrol is looking for drunk drivers, after making nearly nine hundred arrests statewide during last new year’s maximum enforcement.
"We’ve seen lives ended. We’ve seen people hurt. We’ve seen families destroyed," said Sgt. Andrew Barclay of the CHP Golden Gate Division.
Officers are warning people to get a sober driver or book a ride-sharing company.
"Whatever the cost is for that ride is going to be far less than a DUI."
Muni, Caltrain, and SamTrans all offer free rides on New Year's Eve until the following morning.
Christopher Anderson of Alameda and his girlfriend were on their way to a disco party in the city and celebrated responsibly.
"We just took the ferry to get here, which is a nice way to come in, and then we’re going to take an Uber, and then after that I think we’re going to walk," said Anderson.
The San Francisco Fire Department had extra ambulances ready to go during the fireworks show and cities like Oakland planned DUI checkpoints.
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