WEBSTER, N.Y. (AP) — The two Rochester-area firefighters who survived the Christmas Eve shooting the claimed the lives of two comrades are speaking publicly about the incident for the first time today.

Local media outlets report that Joseph Hofstetter and Ted Scardino are holding a news conference at 3:30 p.m. at the West Webster Fire Department.

They were shot the morning of Dec. 24 after arriving at the scene of a house fire in Webster, just east of Rochester. Two other firefighters, Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka (TOH'-mahz kah-CHOOV'-skahs), were killed when William Spengler opened fire on them as they arrived on the scene.

Police say Spengler set fire to the lakeside house he shared with his sister. Remains believed to be hers were found at the scene.

Spengler committed suicide after police arrived.

State legislators cited the Webster shooting and the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., that killed 26 people in January when they passed the NY Safe Act, which included a stricter ban on assault weapons, limits on high-capacity magazines, and tougher penalties for defendants accused of using firearms in crimes.