Dubai: More than 5,000 personnel will be on the ground on December 31 to ensure the safety and organisation of the biggest New Year’s party in Dubai.

Colonel Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Deputy Head of the Event Security Committee and Deputy Director of the Department of Protective Security and Emergency at Dubai Police, said the 5,000 people include police, civil defence officers, RTA employees, ambulance services, and volunteers, to name a few.

“Last year, we had between 2,800-3,000 people working on the ground around Burj Khalifa. This year, we have 400 volunteers helping with the organisation around Burj Khalifa area,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

He urged the public to follow instructions and signboards to ensure they have a good time. “There will be signs everywhere and people can always ask,” he said.

People can also use the Event Security Committee’s smartphone app — available in Arabic and English — to know more about the event’s arrangements, parking areas, paths and more.

People can also send their queries or questions or simply follow the tweets of Emaar, Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Tourism, Dubai Media Office, Brand Dubai and the Events Security Committee for information.

Five big screens will be available for people to watch the fireworks spectacle, one on Kite Beach, two in Al Sufouh, and another two at the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).

It has been reported that the fireworks will be broadcast live on a screen in New York’s Times Square.

Col Al Merri said there are almost 4,000 security cameras in the Burj Khalifa area.

Ahmad Al Falasi, Executive Director of Emaar, said that they have been working on the preparations since January 2015. “Our goal is for everyone to enjoy themselves.”

He said there will be a two-minute light show before the fireworks and there will be 400,000 LED lights on Burj Khalifa. He did not reveal the volume of fireworks and said there will be a surprise element.

Eisa Bin Khurbash, from the maritime affairs department (Fazza Marine) at the Office of The Crown Prince of Dubai, said the office will be providing 30 boats to secure the ships that will be launching the fireworks along Jumeirah’s coastline.

“There will be two Zabeel yachts that will act as mobile operation rooms for police and civil defence officers and one Fateh yacht to provide first aid services if needed,” he said.

The fireworks along the coast are an initiative by the Office of The Crown Prince of Dubai.

There will be some 150 people on those boats and yachts.

No criminal cases last year 

Lt. Colonel Hareb Al Shamsi, from CID, said that there were no criminal cases reported during last year’s New Year celebrations. “The biggest issue we face is lost items.” In case of a lost items, he urged people to report to the nearest police station.

“People should take care of their children, and make sure the children are wearing ID wristbands with their names and mobile numbers on them. People should also not carry big bags, as there are reasonably priced food and beverages outlets in the viewing areas,” he said.

Lt. Col Al Shamsi also urged the public to arrive early to the venue so things would run smoothly.

“We have also identified 214 locations across Dubai with the help of Dubai Tourism that will have police presence to ensure security and safety,” he said.

Lieutenant Saif Al Kaabi, from Bur Dubai Police Station, said the Dubai Police Dubai Mall office — which is part of the Bur Dubai station — will be open for all services during the New Year.

“If anyone faces any issues, they can come to the office, which is located at the Ground Floor Cinema parking,” he said.

45 traffic patrols in area

Lt. Colonel Juma Bin Suwaidan, Director of the Events Department at Dubai Traffic Police, said there will be 45 traffic patrols and 75 police officers in the Burj Khalifa area during New Year’s eve.

“We have seen a many traffic violations last year, and people were not cooperating and so we had to issue fines. We urge people not to park randomly and especially not on the hard shoulder,” he said.

Dubai Traffic Police also urged pedestrians not to jaywalk and only cross at designated areas. “We will have a large pedestrian crossing near the Burj Khalifa Metro station on the other side of Shaikh Zayed road,” he said.

Civil Defence

Lt. Colonel Hussain Mohammad Al Ruhoumi, Dubai Civil Defence’s Representative at the Events Security Committee, said there will be around 200 civil defence personnel in the area around Burj Khalifa.

“We have divided the area into five regions, and a senior civil defence officer assigned to manage each. There will be around 30 fire trucks and equipment in the area,” he said.

“We have started working earlier this week on fitting brackets for the fireworks and putting up the fireworks for the show,” he said.

Transport

Hussain Mohammad Al Banna, Director of Traffic Department at the RTA, said that they are expecting 900,000 metro users during the celebrations, an increase from 800,000 last year.

“We are expecting many people to use the tram too. Between Emaar and RTA, we have provided 170 free shuttle buses to service the event at Burj Khalifa,” he said.

He said people should use public transport to avoid traffic. “Those coming from the northern emirates can park their cars at either Al Qusais or Al Rashidiya multi-storey parking and use the metro and those coming from Abu Dhabi can park their cars at Nakheel Harbour and Tower parking.”

Electronic road signs will also be used to provide the public with directions and information, he said.