Harnish named to Rural/Metro top spot

Jerry Harnish

Rural/Metro, which makes a gazillion dollars because of an ambulance contract it has with the county, announced this morning that Knox County Fire Chief Jerry Harnish was named interim division general manager for Rural/Metro of Tennessee.

Rural/Metro's previous division general manger Rob Webb resigned from his position on Sept. 30.

According to the company's spin team, Harnish has 33 years of experience in fire and emergency operations, including six years as fire chief in Knox County. Harnish said the same high standard of operations will continue during his leadership.

“Both the fire and ambulance divisions are meeting and exceeding Knox County requirements,” Harnish said in the release. “We will continue to meet the emergency needs of Knox County residents and those in the other counties we serve without interruption. Our people are committed to this goal.”

Harnish began his career as a firefighter and emergency medical technician with Rural/Metro in 1980. He rose through the fire department ranks and was named fire chief in 2007.