It began like any other call for Fire Station 3, but things changed as one of its ambulance crews approached the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Airport Heights, rushing a seriously injured patient to Alaska Regional Hospital with the lights on and sirens blasting.

"It appears most of the traffic, up until the last lane, had come to a complete stop. But when the medic rig entered the south of the intersection, the driver stated he didn't see the medic rig and he struck it in the right rear," said Anchorage Police Department Sgt. Andrew Jackson.

Fire Station 3 then received a call that one of its own rigs was involved in a crash with injuries.

Onboard the ambulance were seriously injured patient Antonio Malavai, his wife, Gail Malavai, and four Anchorage Fire Department personnel.

"It's always more difficult when it's one of your own and you don't know what the injuries are. You don't know how serious it is, so it definitely gets everyone's attention," said Bridgett Bushue, the deputy chief of fire prevention.

The outer shell of the ambulance did not look as though it sustained much damage, but the Anchorage Fire Department says the impact totaled the rig, bending the frame badly. Inside, there was evidence of a rough ride for the two paramedics and EMT who are not strapped in so they can perform their jobs in a mobile fashion.

They were all transported to Alaska Regional Hospital.

Tony Brugliara, 36, who was riding with Malavai in the back of the rig, is being treated for serious head injuries, while 40-year-old Jess Werner and 43-year-old Dave Wallace were treated and released.

Paramedic Tony Brugliera

"The crews work really closely together 24 hours at a shift, so they get to know each other. We are a family, a big extended family, especially between emergency workers," said Bushue.

It is the first time in more than 20 years an AFD emergency responder has been seriously injured in a work-related crash, but minor collisions are common.

"[Most accidents are caused by] driver inattention, just not clearly making sure the roadway is safe as you enter or leave a red light surface, or driving a little too fast for conditions," said APD Lt. Paul Honeman.

Just be aware and pay more attention, especially in winter, when the roads are slippery," Bushue said.

State law requires drivers to pull over to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle is approaching, making sure no one, including the responder, ends up injured.

"There are a lot of crews at the hospital standing by and giving support to the family," said Bushue.

The hospital is just blocks away from their home away from home, at Station 3.

The patient who was being transported was not injured any further in the crash.

Clifton Tyler, 43, the driver of the pickup, and was not injured. Police say they are investigating and have not issued citations.

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