Rural Metro Fire Membership Agreement
Last updated version (v2.1) on 08/25/25
Rural Metro Fire “Rural/Metro Fire Dept., Inc.” (hereinafter “Company”) is in the business of providing certain services (as more fully described below, and hereinafter “Services”) to Members (s) who are not provided this type of service by their city, municipality and/or other governmental entity for a Membership Fee. Member desires Company to provide Services for Member’s property (hereinafter “Property”) and agrees to the following terms:
1. Services
The Company will provide Services, including but not limited to, fire response and suppression to the Property and emergency medical treatment until an emergency ambulance arrives for transport, if necessary. This Agreement does not cover ambulance transportation.
2. Member Warranty
Member represents and warrants to Company that Member: (i) is the Property owner or is fully authorized to sign this Agreement on behalf of the Property owner(s) and does not require anyone else’s consent; (ii) has provided true, accurate and complete information to Company regarding the Property, the Services and this Agreement; and (iii) has no Hazardous Materials as defined herein on the Property.
3. Company Warranty
Company warrants that it and its agents will act in good faith and exercise reasonable care in the performance of their duties.
4. Disclaimer of Warranty
Member acknowledges that the provision of the Services by Company, by virtue of the nature of the Services, inherently involves risk and emergency circumstances, and that the provision of Services pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is not a guarantee of any outcome, result, or particular course of action by the Company relating to the Services. ACCORDINGLY, AND EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, THE COMPANY DOES NOT AND CANNOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF ITS SERVICES.
5. Limitation of Liability
IN NO EVENT SHALL COMPANY, ITS AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, MEMBERS, SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR SUBCONTRACTORS BE LIABLE TO MEMBER FOR LOST PROFITS, SPECIAL CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, REGARDLESS OF THE BASIS OF THE CLAIM, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY, WHETHER OR NOT COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
6. Membership Fees
Member agrees to pay all Fees due immediately upon execution of this Agreement or as otherwise agreed upon. Except for the Member’s Right to Cancel, the Membership Fee is non-refundable, including in the event of annexation. If the Company provides Services and the Member has not paid its Fees, the Member will be billed at the Company’s standard response rates set forth on Exhibit A to this Agreement. If the Member fails to maintain their Membership and later wishes to reestablish service, a Reinstatement Fee may apply.
7. Charges for Non-Member Emergency Response
If Rural Metro Fire responds to a property that is not actively covered under a current fire protection membership at the time of service, the following fees will apply based on location:
Arizona
Fire suppression services will be charged at a minimum rate of $1,500.00 per hour per firefighting vehicle, plus $150.00 per hour per firefighter, with a minimum charge of $1,500.00 per response.
Commercial properties will be billed at three times the standard rates.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses will be charged a minimum of $600.00 per call.
Tennessee
Fire suppression services will be charged at a minimum rate of $1,800.00 per hour per firefighting vehicle.
A typical structure fire response includes a minimum of six units, resulting in an estimated minimum hourly charge of $10,800.00.
Oregon
Fire suppression services will be charged at a minimum rate of $1,500.00 per hour per firefighting vehicle, plus $150.00 per hour per firefighter, with a minimum charge of $1,500.00 per response.
Commercial properties will be billed at three times the standard rates.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses will be charged a minimum of $600.00 per call.
8. Term, Termination & Modification
The initial term of this Agreement is specified at the time of signup.
The membership agreement will remain in effect indefinitely, unless a member cancels the agreement as permitted by this Agreement.
The term of the membership fee is selected by the member at enrollment through the website, over the phone, or through an enrollment form. The length of the initial term is identified on the invoice.
The membership fee for each term may be adjusted at the company’s discretion. Members will be notified in advance of any changes to the Membership Fee, and the new fee will apply automatically for the term
Cancellation Methods: The Member may cancel this Agreement at any time before the next billing period by: - Calling our customer support at 800.624.5835 - Emailing customers@ruralmetrofire.net - Using the cancellation feature in the online customer portal at www.ruralmetrofire.com/my-account
9. Member Right to Cancel
Member may cancel their Membership and request a refund of the Membership Fee within three (3) business days of initial payment. Cancellations may be submitted by phone, email, or through the customer portal (see cancellation methods above). The Registration Fee and any Reinstatement Fees are non-refundable.
10. Property Sales
In the event Member intends to sell the Property, Member should immediately notify Company of the Buyer’s name, address, and phone number and notify the Buyer of this Agreement.
In the event Member transfers its ownership in the Property, it is Member’s responsibility to include any remaining balance of the annual Membership Fee in the closing escrow to continue Services to the Property. If the remaining balance is not included in escrow, the Member forfeits any carryover dues, and the new homeowner will not receive credit for them.
11. Force Majeure
Company will be excused for failures and delays in performance of its obligations under this Agreement due to any cause beyond its control including without limitation, any act of God, war, riot or insurrection, law of regulation, strike, flood, fire, terrorism, weather conditions, traffic conditions, labor supply, materials availability, roadway(s) and/or facilities, unavailability of water and/or insufficient water pressure. Member acknowledges and understands that natural physical barriers, such as mountains, hills or washes, and limitations of access to Property (which may be caused by steep, narrow or winding roads or driveways, weather conditions, traffic conditions or natural disasters), may impede, affect or block Company’s efforts to provide Services and/or ability to utilize some or all of its equipment or apparatus.
12. Member Requirements
Member will properly address the Property (address must be displayed prominently, at least in two-inch numbering, and readily and easily visible 24 hours a day from the street) and provide Company with unfettered access to the Property.
13. Member Acknowledgements
Member understands that response time for emergency calls varies depending on the distance of the Property from the Company’s fire station, the time of day when the call is made, the occurrence of other emergency activities requiring the Company’s response, and any Force Majeure conditions present. MEMBER UNDERSTANDS NO SPECIFIC RESPONSE TIME IS PROMISED OR GUARANTEED.
14. Hazardous Materials
Member acknowledges that this Agreement does not apply to any Services involving hazardous materials on the Property. Member agrees to reimburse Company for all costs and/or expenses incurred by Company in responding to, handling, and disposal of “Hazardous Materials” which may include chemicals, dangerous goods, toxic materials, substances and/or waste on the Property.
Hazardous Materials Notification: If the Property contains an abnormal quantity of hazardous materials, the Member must notify the Company in advance. This ensures the Company is adequately prepared and informed when responding, and the Member will be responsible for any additional costs incurred.
15. Legal Fees
In the event either party brings any action in law or equity, arising out of this Agreement, or on account of any breach or default hereof, the prevailing party will be entitled to receive from the other party reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses.
16. Assignment
Except as provided in the Property Sales section above, Member may not assign this Agreement to a third party without the prior written consent of Company, which will not be unreasonably withheld. Company may assign or subcontract its obligations under this Agreement at any time. This Agreement will be binding on the permitted successors, assigns, subcontractors, or heirs of the parties.
17. Access to Personal Information
We will retain your information for as long as your account is active and may also retain it for historical or archival purposes. However, we are not obligated to retain your data indefinitely and reserve the right to delete your records one year after your account is canceled. Customers may request access to the information we hold about their account. If a customer requests deletion of their records and they do not have an active account, we will proceed with deletion. If the customer has an active account, deletion of their records will result in the immediate termination of their membership agreement.
18. Security
The security of our members’ personal information is of utmost importance to us. When sensitive information, such as login credentials or payment details, is entered, we encrypt the data transmission using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. We adhere to industry standards to protect personal information during transmission and upon receipt. However, while we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you have any questions regarding security on our website, please contact us via ‘contact us’.
19. Account Information
We may disclose your name, property details, and membership status to our industry partners, such as insurance providers, strictly for the purpose of verifying membership. These partners will have limited access solely for validation purposes and will not receive personal contact details of the member. All such disclosures will be made in accordance with our standard privacy policies to ensure your information remains protected.
20. Service Providers
We use third-party service providers, such as a credit card processing company, to bill you for our services. When you sign up for our services, we will share your personal information only as necessary for the third party to provide that service.
21. Legal Disclaimer
We reserve the right to disclose your personal information as required by law, such as to comply with a subpoena or similar legal process, and when we believe that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud and/or to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process served on our website.
22. Governing Law
This Agreement is subject to and governed according to the laws of the State in which the Property is located, regardless of whether the Member is or may become a resident/citizen of another state or Country.
23. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any previous agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between the parties.
Rural Metro AutoPay Terms & Conditions
The Rural Metro AutoPay program is a service provided for the convenience of our customers. By enrolling in AutoPay, you agree to the following terms and conditions.
1. Enrollment & Authorization
Enrollment and authorization can be primarily completed through our online web portal.
Customers may also enroll by submitting a completed and signed AutoPay Authorization Form, which can be mailed or emailed to the addresses listed on the form.
The customer confirms that the provided information is accurate and that they are the authorized cardholder.
2. Activation & Processing
A minimum of 30 days may be required for AutoPay to take effect.
The customer’s card will be charged the amount due up to 15 days before or after the invoice due date.
If a debit fails, Rural Metro may attempt additional drafts, but is not obligated to do so.
In the event of a failed payment, customers will receive an email notification on the day the payment fails. This email will include instructions on how to update payment details.
Customers can update their payment information or manage their AutoPay enrollment at any time via the online portal at www.ruralmetrofire.com/my-account. Alternatively, they may contact customer service via email at customers@ruralmetrofire.net or by calling 800-624-5835.
3. Account Standing
Only valid credit/debit accounts in good standing may be used.
Customers must notify Rural Metro of any changes to payment information.
4. Cancellations
You may cancel your participation in AutoPay at any time by giving 30 days’ notice via one of the following methods:
Phone: Call 800.624.5835
Email: Send your request to customers@ruralmetrofire.net
Online: Cancel directly through your account at ruralmetrofire.net/my-account
Rural Metro reserves the right to suspend or terminate AutoPay at any time, with or without notice.
5. Disputes & Liability
Disputes must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the card statement.
Rural Metro may pursue payment directly from the customer if AutoPay fails.
Rural Metro is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from use of the AutoPay service.
6. Acknowledgment
Upon enrollment, customers will receive a confirmation email with a copy of the AutoPay Terms & Conditions.