Cranberry Twp. VFC formed in 1959

By Melissa Lewis Special to the Eagle

January 14, 2015 Last Updated: January 14, 2015 08:43 AM Local News

From left, junior firefighter Matt Prispas, Capt. Larry Clutter and safety officer Steve Dancisin inspect new vehicle rescue equipment at the Cranberry fire station.

686 calls were answered in 2014

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP — After at least two failed attempts and several years of planning, the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company was finally formed in June 1959.

A group of volunteers started out with a 1928 Pirsch Pumper, a six-ton Army surplus truck, five acres, and a desire to serve their community.

Fast-forward to the present: the fire company has more than 10 pieces of apparatus, two facilities, and responded to more than 700 calls in 2013. The only thing that has not changed since 1959 is the dedication of the volunteers.

Life-member Mark Nanna has been serving since 1991.

“Volunteers are the same anywhere you go.” Nanna said. “They are people who are dedicated to serving their community. We are a brotherhood.”

Nanna also said the company is fortunate to work hand-in-hand with the township, and that they do not have to fundraise to buy new equipment. Nanna believes this way, they can focus on training and education.

The Cranberry company is in need of volunteer firefighters, grant writers, accountants, public relations professionals, fire police and auxiliary members, as the number of its fire and rescue calls increases each year.

In 2004, it received 539 calls. The fire company received 686 calls in 2014.

The volunteers and auxiliary members at the company are:

Gisica Abdallah, Jim Adams, William Ahlgren, Robert Aleva, Angie Angeloini, George Auer, John Bachner, Gerald Ballentine, Richard Barch, Tim Barch, Stephen Bayer, Amy Behun, Andrew Bell, Jeffery Berneburg.

Also, Stephanie Berneburg, Gary Brewer, Theresa Brewer, Paul Brown, Richard Cancilla, John Carney, Alex Carson, Brittney Clifford, Carrie Clutter, Lawrence Clutter, James Cole, Janice Cole, Jean Cook, Richard Cook.

Also, Elaine Cornell, Crystal Currin, Steve Dancisin, Chris DeCree, Kristie DeVault, Stephen DeVault, Ralph Doerfler, Charles Dohn, Steve Dunham, Jim Edwards, Raymond Evers, Linda Farrell, Lydia Genewick, Jeffrey Gooch, Dale Gould Jr., Phillip Grabowski, Andrew Hack, Mary Hack, Michael Hanks.

Also, Derrick Hawk, Jason Hawk, Daniel Hayden, Sean Hayden, Nicholis Herschk, Ed Hestin, Bruce Hezlep, Karen Hezlep, Mary Hodder, Thomas Hodder, John Howley, Sean Howley, Beverly Hutchison, John Hutchison, Ryan Kahsar, Awana (Lanell) Kimmel.

Also, Dennis Kimmel, Nathaniel Kimmel, Tyler Kimmel, Richard Kisic, Susan Klingensmith, Thomas Klingensmith, Jason Knox, John Kontros, Maria Kontros, Wendy Koon, Brian Kovac, Jennifer Kovac, Joseph Kovac, Fred Lehr, Connor Mack.

Also, David Mack, Sheila Mack, Mark Martin, Nunzio Martin Jr., James McConnel, Nancy McDaniel, William McDaniel, Alexis McDonald, Ray McDonald, Joseph Minkel, Matt Moran, Lee Nanna, Mark Nanna, Ruth Nanna, Sandy Nanna, Cassandra Pickett, John Poepoe.

Also, Robert Pribulsky, John Pristas, Matthew Pristas, Shaun Prouty, Willard Rice, Robert Ritenour, Colin Robinson, James Robinson, Benjamin Ross, Cameron Rossi, Justin Rossi, Allen Russell, B.J. Russell, Mark Russell, John Saleone, Lois Saleone, Andy Schultz, Mark Sekera.

Also, Charles (Chad) Straessley, Joe Traficante, Jim Turley, Phoebe Walczak, Abigal Watkins, David Watkins, Linda Watkins, Barry Webster, Margaret Wetzel.

Also, Raymond Wetzel Jr., Ron Whallin, Leo Wilson, Janice Winters, Todd Winters, Barb Wyzkoski and Jim Wyzkoski.