Six people were treated for injuries after a multi-vehicle collision north of Calgary on Monday afternoon.

First responders were called out to a crash near Highway 581 on the southbound lanes of Highway 2 east of Carstairs.

While crews were attending that incident, another collision occurred.

Carstairs Fire Department chief Jordan Schaffer said a southbound SUV rear-ended a Carstairs fire truck. He said the department’s 2012 Ford F-150 was severely damaged and the volunteer members suffered minor injuries.

“One of our male firefighters was in the vehicle when it was struck. He has minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery,” Schaffer said. “The second firefighter that was injured was not in the vehicle and we’re not sure how that occurred, but his injuries are considered to be minor. [He is] also expected to make a full recovery.”

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Both firefighters as well as three other people in the crash were taken to Didsbury Hospital with minor injuries. A tow truck driver was also treated for injuries at the Airdrie Urgent Care Centre.

Schaffer said it’s frustrating to hear about another fire truck being hit while responding on the side of an Alberta highway. He said a Didsbury Fire Department truck was struck in January north of Monday’s scene.

“Unfortunately the laws aren’t strong enough. We need more supports on the highways,” Schaffer said. “This is the second hit we’ve been dealing with. We had a fire truck that was hit on Jan. 23. We were on a call with the Didsbury Fire Department and one of their engines was rear-ended also.” Tweet This

Schaffer said knowing that two of his members were injured on Monday is worrisome.

“It’s very, very tough because our members are volunteer firefighters, so a lot of these guys left their homes doing whatever the work they were doing and are expected to perform the same tasks as the full-time firefighters,” Schaffer said. “It’s a great task these guys do and we really appreciate what they do.”

We would like to wish the 2 injured Firefighters from the ⁦@CarstairsFire⁩ Dept. a healthy recovery after their fire truck was struck on Hwy 2. Please slow down, move over for all first responders, tow truck operators & hwy/road maintenance #yycfire https://t.co/Lcz94OGwcM — CGYFireFighters (@CGYFireFighters) March 12, 2019

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It’s believed that blowing snow on the highway may have contributed to the initial collision.

“I did speak with members on scene and they said the lines were not visible due to the blowing snow that was covering it,” Schaffer said. “There were just certain sections of [Highway 2] southbound that were covered. Northbound lanes were not affected by the weather.”

Another collision involving a semi trailer also occurred in the southbound lanes of Highway 2 near Highway 72 on Monday afternoon. One patient was taken to hospital with minor injuries.​

A crash happened on Highway 2 near Crossfield by Highway 72 on Monday. Carolyn Kury de Castillo/Global News