Rep. Pat Ryan held an event on Thursday at SW Johnson Fire Engine Company No. 2 in Wappingers Falls. He brought together about 100 first responders to thank them for their heroism following a building explosion on Nov. 2.

The first two to be honored were the first to arrive that afternoon just after 12 p.m.

Wappingers Falls Police Sgt. Devin Ludwig and Officer Daniel Corchado arrived at the destroyed home on Brick Row and did not hesitate.

Officials said the explosion was likely caused by a contractor damaging an underground gas line.

Several residents and contractors were injured and needed to be rescued.

Ludwig and Corchado told News 12 after the ceremony that their training kicked in in that moment.

They immediately pulled out two young boys – ages 8 and 11 – who were seriously injured.

They then set up a triage area to attend to the boys and several more victims.

Fifteen people – including residents, contractors and first responders were hospitalized.

"To be able to come in and help them and hopefully reduce the trauma as much as possible in a situation like that, it's an honor," Ludwig said. "It just makes me proud to do what I do."

Ryan organized the event to give the first responders congressional commendations. He also recently honored them by sharing their story on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

"Heroic things being done in our community and communities around the country -- We desperately, desperately need that right now," Ryan said.

Some first responders told News 12 they are still thinking about the victims.

Corchado said he recently checked in with one of the families he helped rescue.

"They still have a lot of injuries, but just being able to see them and knowing they're doing a little better ... it was very moving," he said.

All the first responders who were hospitalized that day due to smoke inhalation and/or burns have recovered, but they are still concerned about people who are still in the hospital, including an 8-year-old boy who was badly burned and a contractor who was pulled out of the rubble.