BY DEBRA PALMIERI

dpalmieri@tnonline.com

The Northwestern Lehigh community, fellow firefighters and EMS crews from across three counties and beyond welcomed home fallen New Tripoli volunteer firefighters Marvin Gruber, 59, and First Assistant Chief Zachary Paris, 36, with a procession of fire trucks and Cetronia and Northern Valley ambulance corps vehicles led by the Pennsylvania State Police during the late afternoon of Dec. 8.

Included in the procession were fire trucks from Lynnport, Germansville, Weisenberg, Friedens, Station 33 Richmond, Perry and Windsor townships, Virginville, Kutztown 46, Slatedale, Slatington and Bowmanstown, to name just a few.

A Life Flight helicopter flew overhead as the procession traveled along Route 309, New Tripoli.

The solemn line of vehicles, aglow with flashing lights, proceeded from New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, down Routes 309 and 100, along Tilghman Street, to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensics Center, South Whitehall.

Gruber and Paris died in a West Penn Township fire that broke out around 4 p.m. Dec. 7 in a house at 1121 Clamtown Road.

Two West Penn Township firefighters were treated for injuries, one of whom was transported to a hospital and placed in intensive care.

On Dec. 8, West Penn Township Police Chief James Bonner identified Christopher Kammerdiener, a resident of the home, as the man whose body was found to the rear of the property.

West Penn Township police confirmed Kammerdiener died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“We are working closely with the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal and ATF fire marshal,” police said in a news release on Dec. 12.

The investigation into the cause is being handled by the State Police Fire Marshal Janssen Herb, of Troop L, Reading; the ATF; West Penn Township Police; and Pennsylvania State Police.

Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio, on Dec. 9, said the cause of death for both firefighters was asphyxia and thermal injuries due to the house fire.

He ruled the manner of death as “pending investigation” due to the ongoing fire and active scene investigation.

Pennsylvania State Trooper First Class Nathan Branosky, Troop M, Bethlehem, led an 11 a.m. news conference at the New Tripoli Fire Company on Dec. 8.

He was joined at the lectern by Fire Chief Gary Kuntz Jr. and Don Smith of the Lehigh County Communications Center.

State Troopers were posted in the parking lot from 7 p.m. Dec. 7, assisting with directing traffic, answering questions and providing support.

Smith gave a brief review of circumstances surrounding the house fire.

He noted that Paris, who has served with the New Tripoli Fire Company since 2010, is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents and a sister.

Gruber, who has been a firefighter with New Tripoli since 2020, has worked for 22 years at Northampton Community College in the Public Safety Department as the assistant chief of public safety.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” Smith said. “These fire company members made the ultimate sacrifice.

“They are truly heroes.”

Branosky then spoke to those gathered outside the fire company.

“The Pennsylvania State Police’s thoughts and prayers are with the New Tripoli community.”

He also said the West Penn Police Department is the lead agency investigating the fire in which the two firefighters died.

Heidelberg Zoning Officer Dawn Didra emailed The Press on Dec. 8 offering that township’s condolences.

“Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors and staff are deeply saddened that Station 17, The New Tripoli Fire Company, lost two of their own yesterday.

“Marvin Gruber, 59, and Zachary Paris, 36, made the ultimate sacrifice while bravely fighting a house fire in West Penn Township.

‘We offer our sincerest condolences to their family and friends. We join not only the emergency services community, but our community as a whole in mourning this tremendous loss.

“We are grateful for the sacrifices of the brave volunteer firefighters who risk their lives to protect our community.

“They are there for us in our greatest time of need. As a rural community, we often pool our resources and work together so a loss for a neighboring township is a loss to us all.

“We offer our support to New Tripoli Fire Company, Lynn Township and all those affected by this unthinkable tragedy.”

The New Tripoli Bank has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser for the families of the two firefighters.

Donations may be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/families-of-fallen-new-tripoli-fire-fighters.

On Dec. 12, New Tripoli Fire Chief Gary Kuntz Jr. issued the following through State Police Trooper First Class Branosky:

“There are never the right words when a community suffers such a profound loss,” said Kuntz. “Our No. 1 priority is the families of both fallen heroes.

“What this town has lost is vast, but what their families have lost is immeasurable.

“It is our duty to ensure their needs are met, today, tomorrow, and everyday after that, and we are committed to do so.”

According to the news release, the private funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. in the Northwestern Lehigh Middle School auditorium. The public is invited to view the live-stream throughout other areas within the Northwestern Lehigh Middle and High School.

Parking will be limited. Some of the viewing areas will be outdoors and attendees are encouraged to carpool, dress appropriately, and come prepared.

For those that cannot attend, the service will be live streamed through an established website link that will be provided at a later date.