Rural/Metro Corp., an Arizona-based ambulance service provider in four Southeast Tennessee counties, has filed for chapter 11 protection, leaving some county officials concerned about future services, The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported today. Of the four, Franklin County has been the most affected. County Mayor Richard Stewart said that the move triggered an exodus of eight local ambulance service workers. The other counties are Loudon, McMinn and Polk. When Rural/Metro announced its bankruptcy, eight ambulance squad members resigned and were not allowed to work out notices. Officials with Rural/Metro earlier this month announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware granted interim approval of motions seeking to use $40 million of the company's $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing to help support operations throughout the restructuring process. The company's bondholders have also committed to investing an additional $135 million in the company, which officials say will position Rural/Metro for new growth.
