Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-76526, 33-80454, 33-88302, 333-2818, 333-07457, 333-62517, 333-62983, 333-64139, 333-68161, 333-49004, 333-61412, 333-76826), the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-39453) and the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-37393) of Rural/Metro Corporation of our report dated September 27, 2004 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in this Form 10-K.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Phoenix, Arizona

September 27, 2004