NORFOLK – Rescue 2, an E-ONE custom seven-person cab heavy rescue truck, is now part of the equipment lineup at the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department.

People will be able to see the vehicle at the third annual Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department lawnmower races and barbecue at Norfolk Fire Station 3 on State Rt. 420 Sunday starting at noon.

The Norfolk Fire District recently purchased the truck from the fire department in Southampton, Pa.

The price was $175,000 which includes about $40,000 of new equipment.

The Norfolk Volunteers put up $20,000 toward the Fire District’s purchase of the vehicle.

Rescue 2 replaces R 61, which has been sold to the Norwood Volunteer Fire Department for $25,000.

Rescue 2 has been going out on calls, and it participated in the 4th of July celebration and parade in Norwood.

The unit’s features include a telescoping light tower and other special lighting, two Hurst Simo power units for extrication devices and other special tools, mounts in the seats for self-contained breathing apparatus, and hundreds of square feet of storage space not available in R 61.

“The district outgrew the previous walk-in rescue vehicle and we saw the need two years ago to make a strategic purchasing decision based on the present and anticipated realities of fire service,” said Fire Commissioner Robert Kerr.

Kerr, who chaired the purchase committee, said they considered buying a new unit, but found that they would need more than $650,000 for a new unit of Rescue 2’s capacity.

Norfolk Fire Chief Peter Darabon is pleased with the purchase. He notes that being able “to utilize two sets of directly connected extrication tools simultaneously allows Norfolk volunteers to free trapped motorists far more quickly than in the past.”

He also said it is a safety advantage to be able to put on air packs while sitting down and not trying to do it while standing. “We gained 20 years in technology with this decision,” Chief Darabon said.