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Zachary T.A. Paris

Assistant Chief

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, Assistant Chief Zachary Paris and Firefighter Marvin Gruber responded to a residential fire with possible entrapment, in West Penn Township. Approximately 1 hour into the fire, maydays were received from these firefighters on the second floor. On scene Rapid Intervention Teams went to rescue the 2 firefighters. They were removed and immediately transported to St. Luke’s Miners Hospital in Coaldale, PA.

Both firefighters were pronounced deceased a short time later. Assistant Chief Zachary Paris was also a career member of the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Service. Investigation into the fatal fire is ongoing.

photo of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Zachary T.A. Paris was honored on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was included in the USFA’s annual report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.

Department information

Community Fire Company of New Tripoli
7242 Decatur ST
New Tripoli, Pennsylvania 18066

Chief: Gary Kuntz, Jr.

Age: 36
Rank: Assistant Chief
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: December 7, 2022 3:45 p.m.
Date of death: December 7, 2022
Cause of fatal injury: Caught or Trapped
Nature of fatal injury: Asphyxiation
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Residential

Last updated: August 14, 2023