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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated August 21, 1997
included in Rural/Metro Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1997
and to all references to our firm included in this registration statement.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Phoenix, Arizona
August 19, 1998