A paramedic was injured after an ambulance was hit by two vehicles on Wednesday.
The collision happened at Notre Dame Avenue and Isabel Street around 8:30 p.m.
Paramedics were on their way to the hospital with a 79-year-old patient in the back of the ambulance, which had lights and sirens activated, when they were hit.
"They were struck first by one vehicle (that) spun the ambulance around and it was struck again by a second vehicle," said Stan Stone, a superintendent with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
One paramedic was taken to hospital with fractures. The patient being transported in the ambulance was not harmed.
Emergency crews say some drivers don't get out of the way when crews are responding.
"It can be really frustrating. People don't know what to do and the worst part is not knowing what they will do and how they will respond," said Jen Lundin, from the Fire Paramedic Service.
In the last year, the service has made some changes to stay safe. Sirens are now louder and extra lighting and brighter decals are being used so other drivers can see ambulances coming.
There is also more protection inside the ambulances for patients, with a shoulder-restraint system.
Along with the improvements, better driver training and public education are being cited for improving safety.
In 2009, the fire paramedic service reported 40 crashes while responding to emergency calls.
Those numbers are shaping up to be lower as 2010 draws to a close.
"We are hoping it's a trending thing that people are become more aware of us," said Stan Stone.
Police are still investigating the cause of Wednesday's crash.
Drivers who are caught for not yielding for an emergency vehicle can be fined almost $300. So far in 2010, Winnipeg police have issued 29 tickets.
- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley
