San Francisco City Leaders Encourage Safe Independence Day Celebrations

San Francisco, CA - Mayor London N. Breed, City leaders, and public safety partners today issued safety guidance as residents, visitors, and businesses plan celebrations and gatherings in honor of the Independence Day holiday. San Francisco's annual fireworks show is scheduled for Thursday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

City leaders also urged residents and visitors to only use 9-1-1 for life and safety emergencies, and 3-1-1 to report fireworks if an exact location can be provided at the time of reporting. In San Francisco all fireworks are illegal, and the possession and use of any unsanctioned fireworks can lead to arrest and criminal charges.

"We look forward to delighting our residents and welcoming visitors from near and far to enjoy a great Independence Day celebration with the beautiful backdrop of San Francisco's waterfront," said Mayor Breed. "We ask everyone to do their part to ensure all celebrations are safe and invite those taking part in events across the City to support our local businesses, restaurants, and bars that are open and ready to make your holiday a memorable and exciting experience."

As San Francisco prepares to welcome thousands of people from across the region on July 4, various City and local agencies are working in coordination to ensure that all public safety measures are in place to deliver a fun and safe celebration. The City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated to coordinate citywide resource needs, provide situational awareness, and issue public safety information, as needed.

Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the fireworks show from various vantage points along San Francisco's waterfront, including Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, Pier 39, and the Pier 43 walkway. Public transportation is strongly encouraged to and from the show due to anticipated traffic congestion.

Top Five Ways to Enjoy this Year's Fireworks Show:

• Make reservations early. Special cruises and waterfront restaurants may have limited or no walk-in options on popular holidays.
• Plan to arrive early to get your preferred viewing spot.
• Take public transit. The waterfront will get crowded closer to showtime. Check Muni, BART and San Francisco Bay Ferry for service updates and real time schedule information.
• Temperatures at the waterfront can drop quickly after sunset and often get windy and foggy along the water, even in these times of elevated heat. Prepare accordingly by bringing layers.
• Leave dogs at home. Crowds and loud sounds may scare your pets.

"We are excited to welcome people from all over the Bay Area and all over the world to this year's fireworks show," said Port of San Francisco Executive Director Elaine Forbes. "The annual Fourth of July fireworks display is just one of the many events and celebrations everyone can enjoy along the waterfront. We urge everyone to take transit, come early, and stay safe."

San Francisco's public safety agencies will prioritize all 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 calls based on the severity of the incident. During holidays, when fireworks are prevalent, public safety dispatchers must triage calls to determine the appropriate response with available resources. The San Francisco Police Department may not be able to respond to every firework-related call unless fires or injuries are involved.

"July 4th is a day to have fun and for some of us spend a day off with family and friends celebrating our nation's independence," said Mary Ellen Carroll, Department of Emergency Management Executive Director. "While most of us enjoy BBQs and other July 4th festivities, we urge the public to only call 9-1-1 for life safety emergencies. Every July 4th our 9-1-1 Dispatch Center experiences a surge of noise complaints about illegal fireworks. Please keep our dispatchers available for true emergencies."

"The San Francisco Fire Department encourages everyone in and around San Francisco to celebrate the Fourth of July responsibly by attending professional fireworks displays and events and avoiding trying them at home," said Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson. "SFFD firefighters and paramedics will be on duty throughout the holiday and the following weekend to keep the City, and its residents and visitors, safe."

"I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July as we celebrate responsibly during our Nation's Independence Day," said Police Chief William Scott. "All available officers will be working to keep the peace and are prepared to respond to threats to public safety along with our law enforcement partners."

Fireworks Are Illegal in San Francisco: Important Safety Reminder

Each year, more than 12,000 fireworks-related injuries, half of them children, are treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide. Possession of fireworks such as skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers, and other types that explode, go into the air, or uncontrollably move on the ground can lead to a citation or an arrest.

• More than 25% of the children injured by fireworks are innocent bystanders.
• Something as simple as a sparkler burns at temperatures up to 1,800 degrees, hot enough to melt gold.
• Firework incidents cause millions of dollars in yearly property loss, including vegetation fires threatening homes and communities.

Celebrating During the Heat Wave:

The National Weather Service Heat Advisory for San Francisco will continue through Thursday evening with temperatures ranging from the low 80s to the mid-90s. To stay safe in the heat:

• Stay hydrated. Drinking water, even when not thirsty, can help your body stay cool and healthy. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sports drinks with excess sugar.
• Celebrate in the shade or use a canopy or umbrellas during outdoor gatherings.
• Limit the amount of time spent outside in the sun. When outside, take frequent breaks in shady or cool areas whenever possible.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors frequently, especially if they live alone or are vulnerable to heat illness. When possible, schedule in-person visits so you can monitor the temperature of their living spaces rather than relying on phone calls.
• Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke can appear suddenly. Heat exhaustion may include dizziness, excessive sweating, and nausea. Heat stroke may include an altered mental state or loss of consciousness. If you or someone you know experiences these severe symptoms, call 9-1-1.

Treasure Island Access:

In the interest of public safety, the Treasure Island Development Authority strongly discourages the public from visiting Treasure Island on July 4 due to ongoing construction activities related to the Treasure Island Development Project. Viewing areas for the fireworks show and parking will be extremely limited, and roadways into parking areas will be inaccessible.

AlertSF is a text, e-mail, and phone-based notification system for San Francisco's residents and visitors. Sign up for official emergency alerts in San Francisco by texting your zip code to 888-777 or by visiting www.alertsf.org

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