SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rural/Metro Corporation , a leading provider of medical transportation and private fire protection services, announced today it has been awarded a new contract term to continue as the preferred provider of ambulance services to Baptist Memorial Health Care System in Memphis, Tennessee.
The three-year agreement is expected to generate approximately $10.0 million in net revenue over its term. Since 1997, Rural/Metro has provided emergency and non-emergency medical transportation services to Baptist Memorial Health Care hospitals located in western Tennessee and northern Mississippi.
Jack Brucker, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased to continue serving the patients of Baptist Memorial Health Care and look forward to growing with this exceptional hospital system. Contracts such as this one fortify our business expansion strategies and enable us to continue to optimize operating efficiencies throughout the region."
Baptist Memorial Health Care System is one of the premier healthcare systems in the nation, serving patients and communities in the region since 1912. The system includes 14 hospitals, medical centers, and outpatient facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi.
Bryan Gibson, Rural/Metro's South Region President, said, "We have developed a trusted relationship with this organization over the past 11 years, and we are excited about the opportunity to continue this partnership."
Glenn Miller, Division General Manager, added, "Baptist Memorial is one of the most well-respected healthcare systems in this area, and we are committed to working together to deliver the highest quality medical transportation services."
Rural/Metro's West Tennessee operations are based in Memphis and include 911 emergency and non-emergency medical transportation services to Arlington, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, and the unincorporated areas of Shelby County in the metro Memphis area. The company's nearly 175 employees in the area provide more than 35,000 medical transports each year.
About Rural/Metro
Rural/Metro Corporation provides emergency and non-emergency medical transportation, fire protection, and other safety services in 23 states and approximately 400 communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.ruralmetro.com/.
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 collect its accounts receivable; competitors' actions; litigation and regulatory matters; and the company's ability to sustain operating cash flow, secure new contracts, retain existing contracts, and improve earnings and operating margins. Additional factors that could affect the company are described in its Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005 under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 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.
(RURL/G)
CONTACT: Liz Merritt, Rural/Metro Corporation (investors)
(480) 606-3337
Jeff Stanlis, Hayden Communications (media)
(602) 476-1821
