CRANBERRY TWP — For brothers Mark and Lee Nanna, being involved in the township’s emergency services is a family affair.

Mark Nanna was recommended by the Cranberry board of supervisors at its March 30 meeting to replace his older brother Lee as the township’s emergency management coordinator. Lee Nanna, who is nearing retirement, stepped down from the volunteer position that he held since 2005.

The recommendation will go to be approved by the governor’s office before it is official.

Mark Nanna is the administrative assistant for the volunteer fire company, a position he’s held for many years. He also served as deputy emergency management coordinator under his brother, so stepping up was an easy choice.

“I couldn’t think of a better candidate for this position,” said Richard Hadley, chairman of the board of supervisors, at the meeting. “Thanks for stepping up to the plate.”

The emergency management coordinator is the first person called when an emergency is declared in the township, which could be high winds, winter storms or infectious disease. The coordinator heads up the emergency operations center and acts as a resource for any involved township departments, like fire, police, public works or EMS.

“When they need something, he’s the one who is going to get them what they need,” Mark Nanna said.

Mark and Lee are certified through the state in emergency management.

During his time as coordinator, Lee said they’ve been lucky, naming the utility poles coming down on Route 228 during a wind storm in 2014 and some flooding as the only issues he’s dealt with.

Lee Nanna said the county’s emergency management coordinators would meet quarterly for training and the instructors were always complimentary of Cranberry’s work.

“It used to tickle me pink when the instructor would say ‘If you want to see how it’s done, talk to Cranberry,’” he said. “We were ahead of the game. We had such good government support.”

It’s a volunteer position, but the coordinator must be ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice. Although the urgency of the work is something the Nannas are accustomed to through their involvement with the fire department. It seems to run in the family.

The Nanna brothers are lifetime members of Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company. Their other brother, Neil Nanna, was fire chief in Harmony. Nephews, nieces and various in-laws are in every level of emergency services throughout southern Butler County, including local fire departments, EMS and police.

“Nothing gives you more satisfaction than when you can help somebody out,” Mark Nanna said. ‘It’s just the way we were brought up.”

Lee Nanna echoed his brother’s sentiments.

“You have a position where you’re helping somebody on their worst day,” Lee said. “You’re doing something that’s positive, and you’re doing something that’s helping your community.”