West Penn Township supervisors Monday paid tribute to the two New Tripoli volunteer firefighters killed in a blaze in the township on Dec. 7.

At the board’s morning meeting, supervisors held a moment of silence for Zachary Paris and Marvin Gruber, who died in the fire.

“It was a super tragedy for West Penn Township,” said board Chairman Tony Prudenti.

Prudenti then acknowledged the contributions from “Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation.”

Mark O’Connor, founder of the foundation, reached out to Larry Wittig of Tamaqua the day of the fire for contact information. Wittig is the Foundation’s accountant.

Although the foundation is from out of the area, it wanted to help because it fits what the foundation is about.

O’Connor and Wittig met at the fire company and presented the checks for the Fallen Fighters Families.

The family with children received a check for $10,000, and the family with no children a check in the amount of $5,000, Prudenti said.

Prudenti added that the loss of the firefighters really hit home just how unselfish first responders are.

“It really put into better perspective how much our first responders do,” he said. “It’s just amazing to me these (people) are putting their lives on the line for people they don’t know.”

Prudenti then thanked both the township’s fire department, as well as the township’s police department and police Chief Jim Bonner, for their response.

Bonner said there were more than 100 firefighters from fire companies throughout four counties that responded to the fire.

Prudenti said the courageous actions of both Paris and Gruber will never be forgotten.

“The loss of those two guys, I’ll always remember them,” he said. “They’re heroes; there’s no other way to put it.”

“Those firefighters were from New Tripoli, and they came to our house to help us and they lost their lives,” Bonner said. Members of the community from Pennsylvania to Frederick County, Maryland, turned out by the thousands to remember Paris and Gruber at a viewing and service Saturday at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School.