Tennessee Mayor Says Company Bankruptcy Won’t Affect Ambulance Service

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett says he doesn’t expect ambulance service to be affected by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization filed by Rural/Metro Corp.

The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based provider of ambulance and fire services that operates in 21 states has reached a deal with its lenders to cut its debt by about half and expects to complete its reorganization by the fourth quarter.

Burchett said in a news release that he had been assured by Rural/Metro leadership that the company will continue to operate in Knox County, Tenn., as they had before the filing.

Rural/Metro employs more than 800 firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and other emergency personnel in Knox, Blount, Loudon, Franklin and Polk counties. It also provides medical transportation services in the Nashville and Memphis areas.