First responders gear up for New Year’s Eve in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - As 2025 comes to a close and New Year’s Eve celebrations begin, first responders in the Coastal Empire are gearing up for what’s expected to be a busy day.

Chatham EMS officials say they’re fully staffed and ready to run calls all night.

Their EMTs and paramedics usually respond to more emergencies involving car crashes, people who are unresponsive and firework related injuries on New Year’s Eve.

Communications and Marketing Chief Tom Herndon says some people even fire their guns into the air to celebrate the occasion. He wants to remind people that celebratory gunfire is not only illegal in Georgia, but it can also be dangerous.

However, the leading cause of injuries that responders see on New Year’s Eve is still fireworks.

“We’ve seen, like, fingers lacerated off, you know, and eye injuries — a lot of eye and facial injuries. Burns is a big thing, especially like sparklers," said Tom Herndon, Communications & Marketing Chief, Chatham EMS.

Savannah Fire Department officials say if you’re planning to put on your own firework show on New Year’s Eve, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Do not light fireworks under the influence. 
• Never leave a child unattended around fireworks or let them light fireworks by themselves.
• And light one firework at a time and then move away quickly.  

“We always want to recommend having a fire extinguisher close by and a water source close by and a way to extinguish the fireworks after they’ve been used. Eye protection is recommended, gloves if you have them,” said Leland Davis, Fire Inspector, Savannah Fire Department.

Savannah Fire also wants residents to remember that fireworks can be lit until 1 a.m. on January 1st.