EXHIBIT 99.1


CONTACT: Liz Merritt, Rural/Metro Corporation
         (480) 606-3337
         Morgen-Walke Associates, Investor Relations
         Jim Byers (investors)
         (415) 439-4504
         Christopher Katis (media)
         (415) 439-4518

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

              RURAL/METRO RECEIVES NASDAQ NOTICE REGARDING LISTING

     SCOTTSDALE,  ARIZ. (May 23, 2003) - Rural/Metro Corporation (Nasdaq: RURL),
a national  leader in ambulance  transportation  and fire  protection  services,
announced today that it has received  notification  from Nasdaq that the Company
does not currently  comply with the timely  regulatory  filing  requirement  for
continued listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.

     The company  announced on May 20, 2003 that it would file its Form 10-Q for
the third quarter ended March 31, 2003  following the completion of its analysis
related to the restatement  adjustments  necessary to increase its allowance for
Medicare,  Medicaid and contractual discounts and doubtful accounts in the range
of $35 to $45 million.

     Jack Brucker,  President and Chief Financial Officer, said, "We are working
diligently to expedite and complete  this  process.  We believe we have a strong
case for  continued  listing as we move  forward to  complete  this  process and
subsequently file our quarterly report."

     The Company will submit a request for a Nasdaq Qualifications Panel hearing
to consider  its  continued  listing.  The  hearing has not yet been  scheduled.
Rural/Metro's  common  stock will  continue to be traded on the Nasdaq  SmallCap
Market,  however the  character  "E" will be  appended  to its  trading  symbol.
Accordingly,  the trading  symbol for the company's  securities  will be changed
from RURL to RURLE at the opening of trading on May 27, 2003.

     Rural/Metro   Corporation  provides  emergency  and  non-emergency  medical
transportation, fire protection, and other safety services in 26 states and more
than 400 communities throughout the United States.

EXCEPT  FOR  HISTORICAL   INFORMATION   HEREIN,   THIS  PRESS  RELEASE  CONTAINS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE
ACTUAL  RESULTS TO DIFFER  MATERIALLY.  THESE RISKS AND  UNCERTAINTIES  INCLUDE,
AMONG OTHERS, THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY  MAINTAIN ITS LISTING ON THE
NASDAQ SMALLCAP MARKET, THE FINAL  DETERMINATION OF THE RESTATEMENT  ADJUSTMENTS
RELATING TO THE ALLOWANCE FOR MEDICARE,  MEDICAID AND CONTRACTUAL  DISCOUNTS AND
DOUBTFUL  ACCOUNTS;  THE COMPANY'S  ABILITY TO COLLECT ITS ACCOUNTS  RECEIVABLE;
COMPETITORS'  ACTIONS;  LITIGATION MATTERS; AND THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO SUSTAIN
OPERATING CASH FLOW, SECURE NEW CONTRACTS,  RETAIN EXISTING  CONTRACTS,  IMPROVE
EARNINGS AND OPERATING MARGINS, FURTHER ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE COLLECTION
PROCESS,  EFFECTIVELY  MANAGE  COLLATERAL  REQUIREMENTS AND COSTS RELATED TO ITS
INSURANCE  COVERAGE,  AND THE  COMPANY'S  ABILITY  TO CURE OR OBTAIN A WAIVER OF
COVENANT  NON-COMPLIANCE  OR AN AMENDMENT TO ITS CREDIT  FACILITY OR  INDENTURE.
ADDITIONAL  FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY ARE DESCRIBED IN ITS FORM 10-K
AS AMENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2002 UNDER THE CAPTION "RISK  FACTORS" IN
THE MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SECTION, AND OTHER FACTORS AS DESCRIBED
FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE  COMPANY'S  SEC  FILINGS.  THE  COMPANY  DISCLAIMS  ANY
OBLIGATION TO UPDATE ITS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.