Banff and Macduff Community First Responders

06/01/2026

Any taxi running to Aberdeen as parent needs to get home

05/01/2026

Across the region there remain weather warnings in place for ice and snow. As a result, many of our services continue to be disrupted and teams across the council and health & social care are working extremely hard to mitigate the impacts on citizens.

ROADS:
Our roads teams continue to focus efforts on keeping our primary routes (about a third of our extensive road network) as clear as possible. However, many routes are only passable with extreme care, and we would urge people to only travel if absolutely necessary.
Many of our gritter drivers have been working long shifts since before Hogmanay to prepare for the snow and the impacts and we will need to ensure they get the rest and recuperation they need to be able to keep us and them safe. Our thanks to all of them for the incredible work they continue to do.

SCHOOLS:
Teams are evaluating the ongoing situation and considering all the factors including travel conditions, staffing, buildings and facilities.

WASTE COLLECTIONS:
Staff are working hard to get snow cleared at household recycling centres across Aberdeenshire. For now, Huntly, Fraserburgh, and Macduff household recycling centres are open. Inverurie and Westhill household recycling centres are expected to open around 12:30pm. All other household recycling centres are closed, and we will update if more are able to be cleared of snow.
Waste collections have been suspended. Please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates.

HOUSING:
Teams are prioritising emergency repairs to keep everyone safe. Routine appointments this week may be delayed, but we’re still booking new appointments for dates beyond next week.

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE:
All Aberdeenshire Vaccination Centres will be closed today and tomorrow.
GP Practices across the region are working with reduced capacity and people should keep an eye out for local updates for the most up to date picture.
Homecare Teams are working to reach the most vulnerable clients wherever possible and will remain in contact with families.
Our Community Nursing Teams are also supporting the most vulnerable clients wherever they can.

A huge and heartfelt thank you to all of the staff, volunteers and emergency services working to look after everyone.

Please note: Our Contact Centre is experiencing high call volumes, so please bear with us if it takes a little longer to get through. Thank you for your understanding—we’ll do everything we can to catch up as quickly as possible while putting safety first.

04/01/2026

Police travel advice has been issued following a further Amber weather warning for snow across north and northeast Scotland.

The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for heavy and persistent snow affecting parts of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Highland, Orkney and Shetland. This warning is in place from 18:00 on Sunday, 4 January until 10:00 on Monday, 5 January.

Previous Yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place for Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Stirling, Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire.

Strong winds will continue, increasing the risk of significant drifting and temporary blizzard conditions. This brings an increased risk of:
• Travel delays on roads, with some vehicles and passengers potentially stranded
• Delays or cancellations to rail and air services
• Some rural communities becoming cut off
• Power cuts and disruption to services, including mobile coverage

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell: “The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice means driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the weather warnings.

“We continue to work with partners to help our communities impacted by the adverse weather.

“If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.”

Full details of the warning and what you should do can be found on the Met Office website.

Emergency contacts
Power
You can call 105 free of charge in the event of a power cut to report or get information about your area.

Electricity suppliers also provide information on their websites on what to do if your power goes off.

Water supply
You can report issues with water supply to Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778 or find further information on their website.

Flooding
Information on flood alerts and warnings is available through the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. You can find more information on their website.

General advice for road users
• Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
• All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather.
• Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
• If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
• Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
• Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
• Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
• Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
• Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates Traffic Scotland radio player or visit Traffic Scotland Trunk road traffic updates & route planner
• Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook, X or their website.
• Other information can be found on the Met Office, Ready Scotland. For public transport information visit Traveline Scotland.

25/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Merry Christmas from the Community Resilience Team

Well that’s a wrap on our “Responders Unwrapped: Christmas Countdown”. We hope you have enjoyed reading about all the fantastic work & efforts our volunteers put in day in, and day out. Maybe you’ve recognised a few faces in some photos- we encourage you to reach out to each other & within your communities and continue the fantastic work that’s ongoing.

From all of us in the Community Resilience Team, a huge THANK YOU for everything you do, we simply couldn’t do it without you.

Wishing all our volunteers & their families a wonderful, peaceful festive season.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Community Resilience Team

25/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 7- At the Heart of Their Communities

Our Community Responders aren’t just answering calls- they’re an integral part of the places they live. Every response, every training session, and every conversation builds trust and resilience.

Working alongside our colleagues from the emergency services, universities, St John’s Scotland and initiatives such as Save a Life for Scotland, & Restart a Heart Day, we share a common vision:

✅ Keeping people safe
✅ Empowering others with life-saving skills
✅ Building stronger, more prepared communities

Together, we can create a network of care that reaches every corner of Scotland- making sure support and life saving skills & equipment are never far away.

23/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 6- Community Resilience Team Volunteers

We support two types of volunteer responders:

First up, our Community First Responders (CFRs). Dispatched by ambulance control, CFRs often arrive before an ambulance to provide life-saving care in the first critical minutes. From cardiac arrests and strokes to breathing difficulties and severe allergic reactions, they act fast with the right skills and equipment. They also update ambulance control on patient condition, helping prioritise urgent responses. Quick thinking, skilled care, and local knowledge- CFRs make a real difference every day.

Next we have our Community Cardiac Responders (CCRs).
CCRs respond to cardiac arrest calls within a 10km radius, delivering rapid CPR and defibrillation when available. What began as a small group of ‘Wildcat’ responders is now growing into a Scotland-wide network, recently expanding into Dumfries & Galloway. Every local response increases someone’s chance of survival.

Our volunteers go above and beyond to keep communities safe.

22/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 5- Kit Bags at the Ready

For our Community Responders, preparation goes beyond the call.

Every shift starts with a fully checked kit bag- AED, oxygen, PPE, and essential supplies.
Many kits are possible thanks to the extra efforts of responders who fundraise and rally local support within communities. Every raffle ticket sold, every donation collected, and every conversation about the importance of Community Responders, helps turn community support into potentially saving a life.

It’s not expected, but it shows the dedication and care that define our Community Responders. Thank you to those who go the extra mile to make sure everything is ready when someone needs help most.

21/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 4 – Public Access Defibrillators

Alongside responding to emergencies, some of our Community Responders choose to support their communities by fundraising for, installing, and maintaining Public Access Defibrillators (PADs).

From checking that they are emergency ready, reporting faults, and updating The Circuit (National Defibrillator Network), their extra effort ensures these devices are ready when seconds count. It’s not expected as part of their Community Responder role, but it can make a real difference.

Find out more about The Circuit: https://www.thecircuit.uk/

(Photo by Sarah Allan)

21/12/2025

20/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 3- Local Awareness Sessions

Community Responders aren’t just answering calls – they’re supporting Scotland to save lives.

Every CPR session, defib demo, and awareness event builds confidence and skills so that if the worst happens, someone nearby knows what to do – because of them.

From schools to sports clubs, and community groups, they give people the tools to act in those critical first minutes before help arrives.

✅ Immediate bystander CPR can double or triple the chance of survival
✅ Every person who learns these skills is another potential lifesaver

Thank you to everyone who gives up their time to share their lifesaving skills and knowledge.

19/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 2- Ready to Respond

Community Responders check their kit, put on their hi-vis, and stand ready to give their communities reassurance and safety, attending a variety of medical emergencies.
When the radio goes off, they bring calm to chaos and life-saving care- in urban streets, rural glens, remote islands across Scotland.

Our Community Responders go the extra mile to make sure help gets there when it matters most.

18/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 1- Supporting Local Communities

From checking in on neighbours to answering 999 calls, they bring comfort, reassurance, and life-saving care- especially during the festive season.

Here’s what they do:

✅ Respond to emergencies, often arriving before an ambulance
✅ Maintain Public Access Defibrillators (PADs)
✅ Deliver CPR and defib awareness sessions
✅ Support local health and resilience projects

Every action strengthens the bond between SAS and the communities we serve. This Christmas, we celebrate their dedication and compassion that truly make a difference.