Every major public holiday in the UAE brings a predictable surge in emergency call volumes. Eid Al Adha, with its combination of outdoor gatherings, heavy road traffic, large crowds, and holiday excitement, is no exception. This year, the National Ambulance is not waiting for the rush to arrive.
Operating under the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, the agency has announced the completion of a comprehensive deployment plan that pre-positions medical crews and vehicles at locations across the Northern Emirates where crowd density is expected to peak during the festive period.
We urge the public to follow strict safety precautions and maintain defensive driving habits, particularly during peak transit hours, to actively reduce the risk of vehicular accidents and preventable medical emergencies.
Where Emergency Teams Will Be Stationed
The deployment covers the locations most likely to see high foot traffic and elevated risk during the holiday. Ambulances and medical crews will be pre-positioned at major mosques and dedicated Eid prayer grounds, municipal slaughterhouses managing the seasonal surge in activity, public beaches, parks, and key tourist destinations, as well as major shopping malls and retail centres.
Cross-agency coordination meetings have already taken place between National Ambulance leadership and the Police General Headquarters across the Northern Emirates. This ensures unified command protocols and seamless communication if multiple emergencies occur simultaneously.
What the Public Should Do
The advisory that accompanies the deployment is practical and worth taking seriously. Road safety is the top concern, with the authority specifically calling for defensive driving during peak transit periods. Holiday traffic in the UAE, particularly around prayer times and family gathering hours, has historically produced a spike in road incidents.
Parents and guardians are also reminded to keep children under close supervision during outdoor activities and crowded mall visits. Holiday environments, with their noise, distraction, and density, are higher-risk settings for young children.
For any life-threatening emergency during the holiday, the public should call 998 directly. That is the National Ambulance control room, available around the clock throughout the festive period.
