Deployment of Firefighters at Over a Thousand Locations in Tehran

With the arrival of Chaharshanbe Suri, the spokesperson for Tehran's Fire Department announced that forces from this organization will be stationed at 1,037 points across the city. According to ISNA, Seyed Jalal Maleki stated that in addition to the deployment of the organization's forces throughout the city, all 121 fire stations are on full alert. The spokesperson for Tehran's Fire Department said: 'On this night, 2,739 firefighters will be stationed at 1,037 points in the capital, and 235 heavy vehicles, 233 light vehicles, and 1,017 motorcycles will be available to them.' He added: '452 firefighting teams will also be stationed on foot in some areas of the capital with their equipment.' According to the spokesperson, this year, municipal agents have also been equipped with handheld extinguishers to take necessary action in case of an incident. In recent years, a large number of teenagers and young people have welcomed Chaharshanbe Suri with powerful firecrackers and hand grenades, which has made this ancient Iranian celebration bitter for the injured and their families. The celebrations and fireworks of this ancient ritual, which have been condemned by some clerics and government institutions, have taken on unconventional forms in the absence of organizers or grassroots institutions to hold this celebration. Every year, the production, distribution, and use of powerful and non-standard firecrackers claim many victims. Meanwhile, Iraj Harirchi, the Deputy Minister of Health, pointed out this gap and stated that last year during Chaharshanbe Suri, there were 2,502 emergency hospital visits and 450 pre-hospital emergencies. According to the Deputy Minister of Health, 36% of injuries were related to hands and 23% to eyes; Harirchi also announced that a total of 10 people were killed across the country during last year's Chaharshanbe Suri. This year, some users on social media are urging each other not to use firecrackers.