By Shavonne Potts

Salisbury Post

Surprise would be an understatement for members of the Woodleaf Fire Department who recently received an equipment donation that will help with rescue calls.

Southern Power’s Plant Rowan provided a Jaws of Life device after hearing the department could use such an apparatus.

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co., is a retail electric service that serves areas throughout the Southeast.

“We want to be a good neighbor,” said Compliance Team Leader Terry Syverson.

Members of the fire department attended a safety program at the company. That’s when Syverson spoke with Fire Chief Artie Watson about the needs of the fire department.

“We were really surprised. We’ve never had that type of donation before,” Watson said.

He added that they’ve never had that large an industry in their fire district before.