Longtime Cranberry Volunteer Firefighter Retires

After more than three decades with the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, Dave Berneburg is hanging up his helmet.

The longtime Cranberry resident isn’t leaving the department, but he is retiring from active duty.

“I’m still a part of the company,” he said. “I’ll still do everything except go out on the calls.”

Berneburg spent 16 years as part of the Peebles Volunteer Fire Company in McCandless before joining the Cranberry station in 1976.

During his tenure, he has served in every line officer position, including assistant chief and chief. In 1989, he was elected president of the company and held  that position for a year. He also spent time as the director at large and vice president of Station 21.

Most recently, he was the company’s safety officer before stepping down May 1.

His son, Jeff Berneburg, followed him into firefighting, and father and son served together at the company for years. With his mother, Stephanie Berneberg, and other firefighters, Jeff Berneberg was on hand last week when the Cranberry Township Board of Supervisors honored his dad for his 35 years of service at its regular meeting.

Officials also administered an oath of office to firefighter Ben Ross, a 2006 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, authorizing him to serve as a fire police officer.

Before the ceremony took place Stephanie Berneberg joked that she was glad her husband finally had retired

“I think it’s about time,” she said. “He needs a little relaxation in his life.”

And perhaps a little more sleep. While Berneberg said serving with his fellow firefighters over the years has been an honor, there is something he can do without.

“The only thing I won’t miss is waking up at 3 a.m. for calls,” he said.