CRANBERRY TWP — The township supervisors Thursday night honored two firefighters who have a combined 71 years of service with the township.

The supervisors presented proclamations to firefighters Jim Cole and Chris Decree, who are still members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company but no longer actively fight fires.

Decree, a firefighter since 1982, has been honored four times previously as the company’s Member of the Year as well as earning the Cranberry Rotary club’s 2007 Distinguished Service Award and the Cranberry Township Community Chest’s Citizen of the Year award in 2008.

Decree also was the fire company’s president.

The supervisors honored Cole, who’s been with the township since 1975.

Cole had previously been honored twice as the company’s Member of the Year and is one of only five firefighters to be given the Merit Award.

He also served as the fire company’s treasurer for 14 years and held numerous other positions in the department.

The supervisors thanked Cole for preserving the company’s 1928 Pirsch tanker truck, the first pumper truck used in the township.

Bruce Mazzoni, chairman of the supervisors, said the township is “blessed with a group of dedicated, professional volunteers who serve our community 24/7” in ensuring public safety.