Overview
- Mayors in the Veiligheidsregio Rotterdam‑Rijnmond decided they will not grant ontheffingen to clubs and associations for New Year’s fireworks while preserving the option for regulated professional displays.
- The policy follows a national ban on private fireworks that allows organised shows under permit but leaves local authorities to decide who receives exemptions.
- Officials say the main reason for refusing community permits is that the permit rules are too complex to check in the field and would overwhelm police, fire services and enforcement staff.
- Veiligheidsregio director Arjen Littooij and Rotterdam mayor Carola Schouten argued the measure should cut fires, property damage and violence against emergency workers.
- Neighboring Veiligheidsregio Zuid‑Holland‑Zuid is still deliberating and the fate of large national events such as the Nationaal Vuurwerk at the Erasmusbrug remains unclear with politicians signalling a possible shift to drone shows as a lower‑risk alternative.