FOI 26-015 Snow Challenges
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 26-015 Snow Challenges
- Request Date
- 06 Jan 2026
- Response Date
- 23 Jan 2026
- Information Requested
I am enquiring into any issues the ambulances have faced during the severe weather over the past six days. If you could provide an update on what the weather means for ambulances, if any have got stuck or are unable to get to certain places and the challenges the weather presents.
- Response
Under FOISA, we can only provide recorded information that we hold at the time of your request. We are not required to create new information, give opinions, or compile explanations if they are not already recorded.
The Scottish Ambulance Service undertakes regular tabletop exercises to consider and duly test preparedness arrangements for winter, of which extreme weather conditions and severe snowfall are included as one of the situations which does create challenges to our response. SAS’s Winter Contigency Plan is publically available on our website - Microsoft Word - 2025-11-26 Item 16 PART 1 Winter Contingency Plan
The safety of both our patients and staff is of the utmost importance.
Several preparedness points to consider:
- Regular engagement with Grampian Local Resilience Partnership when ‘stood up’ during weather incidents ensuring joined situational awareness, coordination, and support across the Category 1 and 2 responders.
- Regular intelligence shared by Met Office through alert / warning system.
- 4-wheel drive, higher clearance ambulances in high-risk locations.
- Additional 4-wheel drive SUV vehicles.
- Fitted winter tyres on SAS vehicles.
- Additional specialist difficult access vehicles through SAS Special Operations Response Teams including 6-wheel all-terrain vehicle.
- Frontline ambulance crews are expected to ‘drive to the conditions’ and this will also mean that responses may take a little longer.
Regarding the extreme snow/ice conditions experienced at the start of January 2026; the Scottish Ambulance Service does not hold a dataset to report on any incidents where a vehicle has gotten ‘stuck’ or has been unable to get to places due to weather.
