Knox County’s private fire service provider, Rural Metro Fire, will soon have a new owner. Global Medical Response, Inc. (GMR), the parent company of Rural Metro, announced today its agreement to sell the fire service to Brindlee Fire Services, an Alabama-based company known for fire department support services nationwide. Pending regulatory approvals from relevant authorities, the sale is anticipated to be finalized in by the end of this year.
Rural Metro Fire currently provides fire protection services across 22 states, including extensive coverage in Tennessee. In addition to Knox County, Rural Metro handles fire services for high-profile locations like the FedEx World Headquarters in Memphis and the Volkswagen Group of America in Chattanooga.
This ownership change aligns with GMR’s strategic focus on its primary mission of delivering air and ground emergency medical services, while positioning Rural Metro to benefit from Brindlee’s specialized fire support expertise. GMR, which also owns Knox County’s contracted EMS provider American Medical Response, sees this sale as an opportunity to streamline its focus. GMR President and CEO Nick Loporcaro expressed confidence that Brindlee’s specialized expertise in supporting fire departments will enhance Rural Metro’s mission, calling Brindlee an “ideal fit for Rural Metro's ongoing mission.”
Serving Knox County since 1977, Rural Metro Fire operates on a unique subscription-based model rather than traditional tax funding. Homeowners and businesses pay annual membership fees for fire protection services, including fire suppression, medical response, technical rescues, and safety assessments. For those who opt out of subscriptions, Rural Metro offers fire protection and emergency response services on an as-needed basis, billing directly for each response.
Rural Metro Fire operates 17 stations across Knox County, many equipped with Advanced Life Support capabilities, and plans to maintain its current operations without staffing or service changes. The department is expected to continue offering preventative services, like home safety inspections, public education programs, and fire alarm maintenance assistance under the same branding.
