Rural Metro Fire is a subscription-based fire protection service providing professional emergency response to unincorporated communities.

What We Provide:

• ✓Fire suppression and emergency response
• ✓Fire prevention and safety inspections
• ✓Emergency medical first response
• ✓Specialized rescue services

What We Are NOT:

• ✗A government agency
• ✗Part of city/county fire department
• ✗Funded by taxes
• ✗Automatically included with property taxes

Rural Metro Fire has served unincorporated communities in Arizona, Tennessee, and Oregon since 1948. Living in an unincorporated community means lower property taxes, but fire protection is not included. We fill this gap through membership.

Emergency Fire Services:

• ✓Structure fires
• ✓Vehicle fires
• ✓Brush/wildland fires
• ✓Chimney fires
• ✓Fire investigation
• ✓False alarms (within reason)

Emergency Medical Services (70%+ of our calls):

• ✓Medical emergencies
• ✓Basic life support
• ✓Cardiac emergencies
• ✓Trauma response
• ✓Vehicle crash rescue

Non-Emergency Services:

• ✓Annual Home Safety Assessment
• ✓Community safety programs
• ✓Fire prevention inspections
• ✓Smoke detector checks

NOT Included:

• ✗Ambulance transportation (billed to medical insurance)
• ✗Non-emergency lockouts
• ✗Tree removal/cleanup
• ✗Insurance claim filing

Ambulance Transport: When you need ambulance transport, the ambulance provider bills your medical insurance separately. Some areas offer ambulance memberships. Call (800) 624-5835 for details.

Method 1: Square Footage (Most Common)

We use County Assessor records for total square footage of ALL enclosed structures:

• Main residence
• All garages
• Guest houses
• Sheds and outbuildings

Method 2: Assessed Property Value

Some areas use your property tax assessed value instead of square footage.

To find your rate:

• Online: Property Search at ruralmetrofire.com
• Phone: (800) 624-5835

Check Eligibility First:

Not all addresses are eligible. Check at:

• ruralmetrofire.com Property Search
• Call (800) 624-5835

Online Enrollment (Fastest):

1. Visit ruralmetrofire.com
2. Enter property address
3. Choose billing term
4. Provide contact information
5. Set up payment method
6. Receive confirmation email

Coverage begins the next day after enrollment.

Phone Enrollment:

Call (800) 624-5835, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

What You Need:

• Property address (physical, not PO Box)
• Mailing address (if different)
• Email and phone number
• Payment method

Payment Options:

• Three-Year, Annual, Quarterly, or Monthly
• Auto-pay recommended for uninterrupted service

Quick Coverage Check:

• Online: Login to member portal at ruralmetrofire.com
• Message: Submit Contact Us form
• Phone: (800) 624-5835

Active Coverage Means:

• No charges for fire responses
• Emergency medical first response
• Full emergency resources
• Certificate available upon request

Rural Metro Fire is a SEPARATE subscription service. It is NOT:

• Part of your property taxes
• Included with your mortgage
• A government agency
• The same as city/county fire

You receive a bill directly from Rural Metro with payment options: auto-pay, online, check, or credit card.

Common Confusion:

"I never signed up for this"

• Previous owner may have had service
• Service may have transferred with purchase
• Check closing documents
• You can cancel (see Account Management section)

"I sold my house, why am I still billed?"

Service continues until YOU cancel. Home sale doesn't stop billing automatically.

Why Is This Necessary?

Without Rural Metro membership:

• Higher ISO rating = higher insurance premiums
• Billed for every fire/medical response
• No guaranteed coverage

With membership: No additional fees for emergency responses.

Payment Frequency:

• Three-Year (1 payment/3 years)
• Annual (1 payment/year)
• Quarterly (4 payments/year)
• Monthly (12 payments/year)

Payment Methods:

• Credit/Debit card
• Electronic check (ACH)
• Check by mail
• Auto-pay (recommended)

Auto-Pay Benefits:

• Never miss a payment
• No service interruption
• Automatic renewal

Update Payment Method:

• Online: Login to ruralmetrofire.com
• Phone: (800) 624-5835
• Credit card changes: immediate
• Bank account changes: 2-3 business days

We May Be Able To:

• Set up a payment plan
• Adjust billing frequency
• Discuss financial hardship programs (if available)

If You Miss a Payment:

First Missed Payment:

• Grace period: 10-25 days
• Reminder notice sent
• No service interruption yet

Second Missed Payment:

• Final notice sent
• Service suspended after 40 days
• Account may go to collections
• You'll be billed as non-subscriber

Fire During Suspension:

You will be billed as a non-subscriber. You accept full financial responsibility for any emergency fire services provided to your property. Response fees can be significant depending on the resources required.

Prevention Tips:

• Enroll in auto-pay
• Keep payment method current
• Update contact info
• Choose affordable billing frequency
• Call BEFORE missing payments

Understanding Your Evergreen Subscription:

Your Rural Metro Fire membership is an evergreen subscription that remains active as long as you continue making payments. There are no fixed contract periods or renewal dates - your subscription simply continues from term to term until you choose to cancel.

How Billing Works:

Your subscription is active and valid for the term in which payment is rendered:

• Monthly subscription: Active for one month from next billing date
• Quarterly subscription: Active for three months from next billing date
• Annual subscription: Active for one year from next billing date
• Three-Year subscription: Active for three years from next billing date

Checking Your Next Billing Date:

• Online: Login to ruralmetrofire.com and view your account
• Phone: Call (800) 624-5835

When You Sign Up:

• Your first bill is for your chosen term (monthly, quarterly, or annual)
• Subsequent bills are automatically issued each term
• No need to "renew" - your subscription continues automatically
• You can change your billing frequency at any time

Cancellation:

Your subscription continues until you cancel. There are no penalties for canceling, though membership fees are non-refundable unless cancelled within three business days of initial payment.

What You Can Update:

• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Payment method
• Billing term

Note: Service address requires formal change process (see moving section below)

How to Update:

Online (Fastest):

1. Login to ruralmetrofire.com
2. Click "Profile"
3. Update information
4. Save changes

• Message: Submit Contact Us form
• Phone: (800) 624-5835 with account number or address

Important Notes:

Mailing vs Service Address:

• Mailing: Where bills are sent (update anytime)
• Service: Where protection provided (formal change needed)

Email Address:

• Important for bills and notifications
• Whitelist: @ruralmetrofire.com
• Check spam folder if not receiving mail

Payment Changes:

• Credit card: effective immediately
• Bank account: allow 2-3 business days

Flexible Subscription Options:

When you own multiple properties in Rural Metro service areas, we offer flexible options to fit your needs. You can structure your coverage in the way that works best for you.

Option 1: Single Subscription with Multiple Properties (Preferred)

• All your properties covered under one subscription
• Single bill for all properties combined
• One subscription number for easy reference
• Simplified account management
• All properties managed in one online account

Option 2: Multiple Subscriptions

• Separate subscriptions for different properties or groups of properties
• Each subscription can have different payment terms (monthly, quarterly, annual)
• Each subscription can use different payment methods
• Useful if properties are in different service areas or have different ownership structures
• Each subscription has its own subscription number

Setting Up Multiple Properties:

Call (800) 624-5835 to:

• Discuss the best subscription structure for your situation
• Set up all properties on one or multiple subscriptions
• Link multiple subscriptions for easier online management
• Choose billing frequency and payment method(s) for each subscription

Managing Your Properties:

If you have one subscription with multiple properties:

• View all properties in a single account
• One bill covers everything
• One payment method for simplicity
• Easy to add or remove properties from the subscription

If you have multiple subscriptions:

• Each subscription can be managed separately
• Different payment dates possible
• Different payment methods available
• Can still link subscriptions in online portal for easier viewing
• Each subscription billed independently

Certificates of Coverage:

• Each property receives its own certificate
• Can request certificates for all properties at once
• Each certificate lists the specific property address
• Useful for mortgage companies, insurance, HOA requirements

Adding or Removing Properties:

• Call (800) 624-5835 to add properties to existing subscription
• Or set up new subscription for additional properties
• When selling a property, we'll remove it from your subscription
• Billing adjusted accordingly

SITUATION 1: Moving Within Rural Metro Service Area

1. Call (800) 624-5835 at least 2 weeks before move
2. Provide old and new addresses
3. Service transfers on move date
4. No interruption in coverage
5. Prorated billing if applicable

SITUATION 2: Selling My Property

SITUATION 3: I Need to Cancel My Service

How to Cancel:

• Online: Login → select subscription → scroll to bottom → cancel
• Message: Submit Contact Us form
• Phone: (800) 624-5835, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

What You Need to Provide:

• Subscription number OR service address
• Name on account
• Cancellation effective date
• Reason for cancellation

Important Information:

• Non-refundable unless cancelled within 3 business days of initial payment
• Coverage ends on specified date

Who Needs This?

• Mortgage companies
• Insurance companies
• Escrow companies
• HOA requirements
• Commercial lease agreements

How to Request:

• Online: Login → "Certificates" → download
• Message: Submit Contact Us form
• Phone: (800) 624-5835

What to Provide:

1. Subscription number OR service address
2. Name on account
3. Where to send (if different than on file)

Processing Time:

• Online: Immediate download
• Email: Within 1 hour during business hours
• Mail: 5-10 business days

Certificate Includes:

• Subscriber name and address
• Coverage effective date
• Subscription number
• Company contact info

If You ARE a Subscriber:

• NO CHARGE for fire response
• NO CHARGE for fire investigation
• NO CHARGE for false alarms (reasonable)
• NO CHARGE for medical first response

You'll receive incident report only - no bill.

What Happens During Response:

When Rural Metro responds:

• We verify subscriber status by address
• We inform non-subscribers they'll be billed
• We provide signup information
• We ALWAYS complete the emergency response

After the Incident:

Subscribers:

• Receive incident report for records
• No action needed
• May receive fire prevention follow-up

Non-Subscribers:

• Bill arrives within 30 days
• Payment plans available
• Can sign up to avoid future charges
• Insurance may cover some costs

Can I Sign Up After an Emergency?

No, you cannot avoid the bill by signing up after the emergency. Coverage must be in place BEFORE the emergency. However, you CAN sign up after to ensure coverage for future emergencies.

Insurance:

• Homeowners insurance: covers damage, usually NOT fire dept charges
• Medical insurance: covers ambulance, usually NOT fire engine response
• Check your specific policy

For Tenants:

Check Your Lease Agreement

Your lease should specify who is responsible.

If Lease Requires You to Maintain:

1. Check address eligibility
2. Sign up in your name
3. Provide mailing address for billing
4. Keep proof for landlord
5. Cancel when you move out

If Landlord Maintains:

• Request certificate of coverage
• Verify coverage is active
• Keep landlord contact info

If No Coverage:

• You may be able to sign up
• Call (800) 624-5835 to verify
• You could be billed for responses

For Landlords:

Option 1: Landlord Maintains (Recommended)

• You pay for membership
• Stays in your name
• Coverage continues between tenants
• Include cost in rent
• No coverage gaps
• Easier insurance discounts

Option 2: Require Tenant to Maintain

• Include in lease agreement
• Request proof of coverage
• ⚠ Risk: Gaps if tenant doesn't comply
• ⚠ Risk: Higher insurance rates

Option 3: No Required Coverage

• ⚠ Property not covered
• ⚠ Emergency responses will be billed
• ⚠ Higher property insurance rates

Best Practices:

Single-Family Rentals:

• Landlord maintains membership
• Include cost in monthly rent

Multi-Unit Buildings:

• Landlord covers common areas
• Individual units may need separate memberships
• Call (800) 624-5835 for multi-unit pricing
• May qualify for commercial rates

The Quick Answer:

When you call 911 for a medical emergency, dispatch sends BOTH a fire engine and an ambulance to ensure you get the fastest possible care.

Why This Matters:

All Rural Metro firefighters are certified as:

• Paramedics (Advanced Life Support)
• EMTs (Basic Life Support)

They provide critical care while the ambulance is on the way.

Common Situations:

Fire Engine Arrives First:

• Fire engine is closer
• Medics begin immediate treatment
• Ambulance arrives, takes over transport
• Fire crew assists with patient/equipment

Multiple Calls in Progress:

• Ambulances at hospital or on other calls
• Fire engine provides care until ambulance available
• You're never waiting alone

Serious Emergency:

• Cardiac arrest, trauma, breathing difficulty
• Multiple medics needed
• Fire and ambulance crews work together
• More hands = better, faster care

What You Pay:

If You're a Subscriber:

• Fire engine response: NO CHARGE (covered)
• Ambulance transport: BILLED TO INSURANCE (separate)

If You're NOT a Subscriber:

• Fire engine response: YOU WILL BE BILLED ($300-$800)
• Ambulance transport: BILLED TO INSURANCE (separate)

The Quick Answer:

If updated information shows the situation is NOT life-threatening, crews turn off lights/sirens and drive safely at normal speed.

How It Works:

Initial Dispatch:

911 receives call and sends units with lights/sirens based on:

• Nature of emergency
• Location
• Reported severity

Updates En Route:

Dispatchers continue talking with caller and getting more details:

• "Person breathing normally now"
• "Smoke was from burnt food"
• "Patient conscious and alert"
• "False alarm"

When They Turn Off Lights/Sirens:

If NOT life-threatening:

• Crews slow to normal speed
• Turn off lights/sirens
• Continue to call but drive safely
• SAFER for everyone

Why Safety Matters:

Emergency response with lights/sirens is dangerous:

• Risk of intersection collisions
• Unpredictable driver reactions
• High-speed traffic navigation

When not a true emergency, normal driving is safer for:

• Our firefighters and medics
• Other drivers
• Pedestrians and cyclists
• The patient