Lehigh Times

Two firefighters from Lehigh County, who lost their lives in the line of duty, were recognized with Keystone First Responder Awards. Governor Josh Shapiro presented these awards during a ceremony at the Capitol. This annual award was established through legislation introduced by Representative Ryan Mackenzie earlier this year.

Assistant Chief Zachary Paris and Firefighter Marvin Gruber, both from the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli, died while fighting a house fire near Tamaqua in Schuylkill County in December 2022.

“Through this award, Assistant Chief Paris and Firefighter Gruber are getting the statewide recognition they deserve for making the ultimate sacrifice while performing their public duty to protect lives and property,” said Mackenzie. “These brave men are heroes, which is exactly why I worked to create this award program to honor the memories of the Commonwealth’s fallen first responders.”

The Keystone First Responder Award acknowledges public servants who have been killed or suffered career-ending injuries while on duty. Eligible recipients include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, coroners, 911 dispatchers, and other first responders. The governor presents this award each fall based on recommendations from a special committee.

Paris and Gruber were among the first group to receive this honor along with eight law enforcement officers, a corrections officer, and a paramedic.