8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 14, 2005

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	0-22056	86-0746929
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

9221 East Via De Ventura

Scottsdale, Arizona

85258

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480) 606-3886

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

(d) On September 14, 2005, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Rural/Metro Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Rural/Metro”), appointed Conrad A. Conrad as a member of the Board, effective October 12, 2005. While no decision was taken regarding Mr. Conrad’s appointment to any committee of the Board, it is anticipated that Mr. Conrad will be appointed at some future date to serve on at least one committee, including the Audit Committee.

A press release regarding Mr. Conrad’s appointment to the Board is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

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Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1	Press release dated September 20, 2005

The information in the attached exhibit shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities thereof, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under such Act or under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent specifically provided in any such filing.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	RURAL/METRO CORPORATION
Date: September 20, 2005	By:	/s/ Michael S. Zarriello
		Michael S. Zarriello Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release dated September 20, 2005

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

CONTACT:	Liz Merritt, Rural/Metro Corporation
	(480) 606-3337
	Financial Dynamics, Investor Relations
	Jim Byers (Investors)
	(415) 439-4504

For immediate release

RURAL/METRO ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT

OF CONRAD A. CONRAD TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Sept. 20, 2005) – Rural/Metro Corporation (Nasdaq/SC: RURL) announced today the appointment of Conrad A. Conrad to the company’s Board of Directors, effective October 12, 2005.

Mr. Conrad is former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Scottsdale-based Dial Corporation, a $1.5 billion consumer products company.

Cor Clement, Chairman of the Board, said, “Conrad brings a long career and wealth of valuable experience in corporate finance and financial reporting to our organization. We look forward to his contributions as a member of the Board of Directors and believe he will serve the company and its stockholders well as we continue to implement our growth and deleveraging strategies.”

Mr. Conrad joined the Dial Corporation in 2000 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In January 2001, he was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his service at Dial, Mr. Conrad held senior positions at Quaker State Corporation, a leading manufacturer of branded automotive consumer products and services. From 1990 to 1994, he served as Quaker State’s President and Chief Operating Officer, and from 1994 to 1998, he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. He also was a member of Quaker State’s Board of Directors from 1988 through 1998.

Mr. Conrad also serves on the Board of Directors for Universal Technical Institute, Inc., where he is Chairman of the Audit Committee; and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, where he also is Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Rural/Metro Corporation provides emergency and non-emergency medical transportation, fire protection, and other safety services in 22 states and approximately 365 communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.ruralmetro.com.