Exhibit 1


                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, the undersigned,  for good and valuable consideration  consisting of
their mutual  commitments  stated herein,  hereby agree to the joint filing with
all  other  Reporting  Persons  (as such term is  defined  in the  Schedule  13D
referred  to below) on behalf of each of them of a  statement  on  Schedule  13D
(including amendments thereto) with respect to the Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, of Rural/Metro  Corporation and that this Agreement be included as an
Exhibit to such joint  filing.  This  Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts  all of which  taken  together  shall  constitute  one and the same
instrument.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned  hereby  execute this Agreement this
7th day of March, 2001.


                                        /s/ Mark S. Howells
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                                        Mark S. Howells


                                        /s/ Bruce W. Derrick
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                                        Bruce W. Derrick