Mark McDermott
6.30am My alarm sounds and I begin to assess the conditions by contacting Grampian Police Weatherline then check the internet and Traffic Scotland. I also tune into local radio to gain as much information as possible about road conditions and the weather forecast for the day.
7.00am I begin to phone drivers and discuss with them the conditions. The drivers are arriving at Banff Day Services and inform me that there is 7 inches of snow lying in the car park. I also phone the taxi and bus operators that help with transport to Banff Day Services. It's not good news and seems unlikely that we will be ale to provide transport.
7.10am I upload the day service status to Aberdeenshire Councils Website www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/care/closures it is never a easy decision to cancel services but the safety and welfare of both staff and people using the service is paramount. With several inches of snow lying on ice and many side roads untreated it is not feasible to operate transport. We do however plan to open as much of the service as possible.
7.30am I receive a call from the drivers at Banff Day Services. The keyholders to the building have been unable to attend for work due to the snow and staff are sitting in cars outside. I agree to attend work early and unlock the building. As I begin to get showered and dressed the phone continually rings as staff begin to phone in and let me know if they can get to work or not. Its no easy matter juggling a mobile phone and bottle of shampoo in the shower at the same time (Roger).
7.45am The doors to my car are frozen solid and I am unable to get into the car, Bill drives to my house to collect my keys and return to Banff Day Services to let everyone into the building. I defrost the door seals with a kettle of boiling water.
7.55am I arrive at Banff Day Services. The building is unlocked and the driving staff have started to phone the service users they were due to collect and let them know that we will not be picking them up. We try to make contact with as many people as possible and typically on a snow day can make in excess of 100 telephone calls while answering phone calls from service users, parents, carers and staff. The cooks have not been able to make it in and the escort staff have volunteered to help prepare some lunch and provide everyone with a cup of tea.
9.00am As staff begin to arrive for work tasks are set for the day, Stuart arranges for a digger to clear the car park of snow and work begins on clearing snow from footpaths, fire exits and ramps. Once the snow is cleared the car parks and footpaths are salted.
There are cars stuck on Colleonard Road, 7 inches of snow lying in the car park and Stuart arranges for a digger to help clear snow.
A digger is used to clear snow from the carpark
Salt is applied to the car parks and footpaths.9.30am A small number of service users have braved the cold and snow and made it into Banff Day Services, a range of activities are organised and the computer room is opened up. Boyndie Visitor Centre is open but the access road, car park and footpaths are heavily affected by snow. BEAT has had to close due to blocked access and lack of heating.
10.00 A number of meetings have been planned for the day with staff and service users attending Boyndie Visitor Centre, Val Milne Acting Social Work Manager confirms that she will drive from Aberdeen to Boyndie for the Meetings.
After a hectic morning Val Arrives and the meetings go ahead as planned.
We are all hoping for milder weather and a return to normal as soon as possible. I appreciate how difficult it is for people to be stuck at home. We continue to make every effort to open services and provide support and activities for all those people who can make it in. Please don't forget that you can check on the status of the day service each morning at 7.30am online at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/care/closures/
Mark McDermott
Manager Banff Day Services
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