Harlingen, TX (KRGV) — Firefighters across the Rio Grande Valley are rallying around the Weslaco Fire Department after losing two of their own.

The firefighters who died were 43-year-old Johnny Peña and 21-year-old Julia Rocha. For some firefighters, the deaths were also the loss of close friends.

READ MORE: Weslaco firefighters killed in off-duty incident identified

Channel 5 News spoke with local firefighter associations about how they're supporting each other.

"This hits really, really hard, and we have members who have close relationships with some of the individuals who passed away," Harlingen Professional Fire Fighter Association President Evan Mann said.

Mann said the organization reached out to its counterparts in Weslaco.

"We made some phone calls to some members of Weslaco. They were very difficult phone calls, but we did it because we care," Mann said.

Leo Mendoza, the field service representative for the Texas State Association of Firefighters, said the tragedy is bringing fire departments closer together.

The McAllen and Donna fire departments are helping respond to calls in Weslaco.

As firefighters grieve the loss of their colleagues, Mann says it's a reminder to check in on the people who matter most.

"Make sure you call your brother or your sister and tell them that you love them, and we don't say that enough," Mann said. “As firefighters, we got this stone wall we put up, but reach out to a friend in need and tell them you love them.”

Watch the video above for the full story.