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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                                                                      APPENDIX A

                      CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Jeffery A. McDougle
Laidlaw International, Inc.
55 Shuman Boulevard, Suite 400
Naperville, Illinois 60563

Dear Mr. McDougle:

         Laidlaw International, Inc. (the "Company") recognizes that, as is the
case for most companies, the possibility of a change in control exists. The
Company wishes to ensure that its senior executives are not distracted from
performing their duties in the event of a proposed or actual transaction
involving a change in control. Accordingly, the Company has determined that as
an additional inducement for you (the "Executive") to continue to remain in the
employ of the Company and to assure itself of both present and future continuity
of management, the Company agrees to provide the Executive with severance
benefits under the following circumstances pursuant to the following terms and
conditions (the "Agreement"):

                  1. Defined Terms. In addition to terms defined elsewhere
herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used in this
Agreement with initial capital letters:

                           (a) "Base Pay" means the Executive's annual base
         salary rate as in effect from time to time.

                           (b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the
         Company.

                           (c) "Cause" means that, prior to any termination
         pursuant to Section 3(b), the Executive shall have:

                                    (i) engaged in misconduct which is
                           materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or
                           otherwise;

                                    (ii) committed an act of fraud, embezzlement
                           or theft in connection with his duties or in the
                           course of his employment with the Company or any
                           subsidiary;

                                    (iii) intentionally damaged property of the
                           Company or any subsidiary;

                                    (iv) committed wrongful disclosure of secret
                           processes or confidential information of the Company
                           or any Subsidiary; or

                                    (v) engaged in any Competitive Activity; and
                           any such act shall have been demonstrably and
                           materially harmful to the Company. Notwithstanding
                           the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to
                           have

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                           been terminated for "Cause" hereunder unless and
                           until there shall have been delivered to the
                           Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
                           affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the
                           Board then in office (excluding the Executive if he
                           is a Director) at a meeting of the Board called and
                           held for such purpose, after reasonable notice to the
                           Executive and an opportunity for the Executive,
                           together with the Executive's counsel (if the
                           Executive chooses to have counsel present at such
                           meeting), to be heard before the Board, finding that,
                           in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive
                           had committed an act constituting "Cause" as herein
                           defined and specifying the particulars thereof in
                           detail. Nothing herein will limit the right of the
                           Executive or his beneficiaries to contest the
                           validity or propriety of any such determination;

                           (d) "Change in Control" means the occurrence during
         the Term of any of the following events:

                                    (i) the acquisition by any individual,
                           entity or group (within the meaning of Section
                           13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a
                           "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
                           of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of
                           50% or more of the then-outstanding Voting Stock;
                           provided, however, that the following acquisitions
                           shall not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any
                           acquisition directly from the Company, (B) any
                           acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by
                           any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
                           sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
                           Subsidiary or (D) any acquisition by any Person
                           pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses
                           (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) of this Section
                           1(d);

                                    (ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof,
                           constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease
                           for any reason (other than death or disability) to
                           constitute at least a majority of the Board;
                           provided, however, that any individual becoming a
                           director subsequent to the date hereof whose
                           election, or nomination for election by the Company's
                           stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
                           majority of the directors then comprising the
                           Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by
                           approval of the proxy statement of the Company in
                           which such person is named as a nominee for director,
                           without objection to such nomination) shall be
                           considered as though such individual were a member of
                           the Incumbent Board, but excluding for this purpose,
                           any such individual whose initial assumption of
                           office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
                           election contest (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11
                           of the Exchange Act) with respect to the election or
                           removal of directors or other actual or threatened
                           solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf
                           of a Person other than the Board;

                                    (iii) consummation of a reorganization,
                           merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition
                           of all or substantially all of the assets of the

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                           Company (a "Business Combination"), unless, in each
                           case, immediately following such Business
                           Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the
                           individuals and entities who were the beneficial
                           owners of Voting Stock of the Company immediately
                           prior to such Business Combination beneficially own,
                           directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then
                           outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
                           voting power of the then outstanding voting
                           securities entitled to vote generally in the election
                           of directors of the entity resulting from such
                           Business Combination (including, without limitation,
                           an entity which as a result of such transaction owns
                           the Company or all or substantially all of the
                           Company's assets either directly or through one or
                           more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
                           proportions relative to each other as their
                           ownership, immediately prior to such Business
                           Combination, of the Voting Stock of the Company, (B)
                           no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such
                           Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
                           related trust) sponsored or maintained by the
                           Company, any Subsidiary or such entity resulting from
                           such Business Combination) beneficially owns,
                           directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the then
                           outstanding shares of common stock of the entity
                           resulting from such Business Combination or the
                           combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                           securities of such entity except to the extent such
                           ownership existed prior to the Business Combination
                           and (C) at least a majority of the members of the
                           board of directors of the entity resulting from such
                           Business Combination were members of the Incumbent
                           Board at the time of the execution of the initial
                           agreement or of the action of the Board providing for
                           such Business Combination; or

                                    (iv) approval by the stockholders of the
                           Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of
                           the Company.

                           (e) "Competitive Activity" means the Executive's
         participation, without the written consent of the Board, as an
         employee, officer, consultant or director of any business enterprise if
         such enterprise engages in substantial and direct competition with the
         Company and such enterprise's sales of any product or service
         competitive with any product or service of the Company amounted to 10%
         of such enterprise's net sales for its most recently completed fiscal
         year and if the Company's net sales of said product or service amounted
         to 10% of the Company's net sales for its most recently completed
         fiscal year. "Competitive Activity" will not include (i) the mere
         ownership of securities in any such enterprise and the exercise of
         rights appurtenant thereto or (ii) participation in the management of
         any such enterprise other than in connection with the competitive
         operations of such enterprise.

                           (f) "Employee Benefits" means the perquisites,
         benefits and service credit for benefits as provided under any and all
         employee retirement income and welfare benefit policies, plans,
         programs or arrangements in which Executive is entitled to participate,
         including, without limitation, any stock option, performance share,
         performance unit, stock purchase, stock appreciation, savings, pension,
         supplemental

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         executive retirement, or other retirement income or welfare benefit,
         compensation, incentive compensation, group or other life, health,
         medical/hospital or other insurance (whether funded by actual insurance
         or self-insured by the Company or a Subsidiary), disability, salary
         continuation, expense reimbursement and other employee benefit
         policies, plans, programs or arrangements.

                           (g) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act
         of 1934.

                           (h) "Incentive Pay" means an annual bonus, incentive
         or other payment of compensation, in addition to Base Pay, made or to
         be made in regard to services rendered in any year or other period
         pursuant to any bonus, incentive, profit-sharing, performance,
         discretionary pay or similar agreement, policy, plan, program or
         arrangement (whether or not funded) of the Company or a Subsidiary, or
         any successor thereto.

                           (i) "Retirement Plans" means the retirement income,
         supplemental executive retirement, excess benefits and retiree medical,
         life and similar benefit plans, programs or arrangements of the Company
         in which the Executive is entitled to participate.

                           (j) "Severance Period" means the period of time
         commencing on the date of the first occurrence of a Change in Control
         and continuing until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the
         occurrence of the Change in Control, or (ii) the Executive's death.

                           (k) "Subsidiary" means an entity in which the Company
         directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding
         Voting Stock.

                           (l) "Term" means the period commencing as of the date
         hereof and expiring as of the later of (i) the close of business on
         August 31, 2005, or (ii) the expiration of the Severance Period;
         provided, however, that (A) commencing on September 1, 2005 and each
         September 1 thereafter, the term of this Agreement will automatically
         be extended for an additional year unless, not later than June 30 of
         the immediately preceding year, the Company or the Executive shall have
         given notice that it or the Executive, as the case may be, does not
         wish to have the Term extended and (B) subject to the last sentence of
         Section 9, if, prior to a Change in Control, the Executive ceases for
         any reason to be an employee of the Company and any Subsidiary,
         thereupon without further action the Term shall be deemed to have
         expired and this Agreement will immediately terminate and be of no
         further effect. For purposes of this Section 1(l), the Executive shall
         not be deemed to have ceased to be an employee of the Company and any
         Subsidiary by reason of the transfer of Executive's employment between
         the Company and any Subsidiary, or among any Subsidiaries.

                           (m) "Termination Date" means the date on which the
         Executive's employment is terminated (the effective date of which shall
         be the date of termination, or such other date that may be specified by
         the Executive if the termination is pursuant to Section 3(b)).

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                           (n) "Voting Stock" means securities entitled to vote
         generally in the election of directors.

                  2. Operation of Agreement. This Agreement will be effective
and binding immediately upon its execution, but, anything in this Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, except as provided in Sections 8 and 9, this
Agreement will not be operative unless and until a Change in Control occurs.
Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control at any time during the Term, without
further action, this Agreement shall become immediately operative.

                  3. Termination Following a Change in Control.

                           (a) In the event of the occurrence of a Change in
         Control, the Executive's employment may be terminated by the Company or
         a Subsidiary during the Severance Period and the Executive shall be
         entitled to the benefits provided by Section 4 unless such termination
         is the result of the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

                                    (i) The Executive's death;

                                    (ii) If the Executive becomes permanently
                  disabled within the meaning of, and begins actually to receive
                  disability benefits pursuant to, the long-term disability plan
                  in effect for, or applicable to, Executive immediately prior
                  to the Change in Control; or

                                    (iii) Cause.

                  If, during the Severance Period, the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company or any Subsidiary other than pursuant to Section
3(a)(i), 3(a)(ii) or 3(a)(iii), the Executive will be entitled to the benefits
provided by Section 4 hereof.

                           (b) In the event of the occurrence of a Change in
         Control, the Executive may terminate employment with the Company and
         any Subsidiary during the Severance Period with the right to severance
         compensation as provided in Section 4 upon the occurrence of one or
         more of the following events (regardless of whether any other reason,
         other than Cause as hereinabove provided, for such termination exists
         or has occurred, including, without limitation, other employment):

                                    (i) Failure to elect or reelect or otherwise
                  to maintain the Executive in the office or the position, or a
                  substantially equivalent office or position, of or with the
                  Company and/or a Subsidiary (or any successor thereto by
                  operation of law of or otherwise), as the case may be, which
                  the Executive held immediately prior to a Change in Control,
                  or the removal of the Executive as a director of the Company
                  and/or a Subsidiary (or any successor thereto) if the
                  Executive shall have been a director of the Company and/or a
                  Subsidiary immediately prior to the Change in Control;

                                    (ii) (A) A significant adverse change in the
                  nature or scope of the authorities, powers, functions,
                  responsibilities or duties attached to the

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                  position with the Company and any Subsidiary which the
                  Executive held immediately prior to the Change in Control, (B)
                  a reduction in the aggregate of the Executive's Base Pay
                  received from the Company and any Subsidiary or the
                  Executive's Incentive Pay opportunity from the Company or its
                  Subsidiaries, or (C) the termination or denial of the
                  Executive's rights to Employee Benefits or a reduction in the
                  scope or value thereof to a level that is substantially lower
                  in the aggregate from the level in effect at the time of the
                  Change in Control, any of which is not remedied by the Company
                  within 10 calendar days after receipt by the Company of
                  written notice from the Executive of such change, reduction,
                  denial or termination, as the case may be;

                                    (iii) The liquidation, dissolution, merger,
                  consolidation or reorganization of the Company or transfer of
                  all or substantially all of its business and/or assets, unless
                  the successor or successors (by liquidation, merger,
                  consolidation, reorganization, transfer or otherwise) to which
                  all or substantially all of its business and/or assets have
                  been transferred (by operation of law or otherwise) assumed
                  all duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement
                  pursuant to Section 12(a);

                                    (iv) The Company relocates its principal
                  executive offices (if such offices are the principal location
                  of Executive's work), or requires the Executive to have his
                  principal location of work changed, to any location that, in
                  either case, is in excess of 50 miles from the location
                  thereof immediately prior to the Change in Control, or
                  requires the Executive to travel away from his office in the
                  course of discharging his responsibilities or duties hereunder
                  at least 20% more (in terms of aggregate days in any calendar
                  year or in any calendar quarter when annualized for purposes
                  of comparison to any prior year) than was required of
                  Executive in any of the three full years immediately prior to
                  the Change in Control without, in either case, his prior
                  written consent; or

                                    (v) Without limiting the generality or
                  effect of the foregoing, any material breach of this Agreement
                  by the Company or any successor thereto which is not remedied
                  by the Company within 10 calendar days after receipt by the
                  Company of written notice from the Executive of such breach.

                           (c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a
         termination by the Company pursuant to Section 3(a) or by the Executive
         pursuant to Section 3(b) will not affect any rights that the Executive
         may have pursuant to any agreement, policy, plan, program or
         arrangement of the Company or Subsidiary providing Employee Benefits,
         which rights shall be governed by the terms thereof, except for any
         rights to severance compensation to which Executive may be entitled
         upon termination of employment pursuant to Paragraph 6(a)(iii) of the
         Executive's employment agreement, dated August 20, 2004, which rights
         shall, during the Severance Period, be superseded by this Agreement.

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                  4. Severance Compensation.

                           (a) If, following the occurrence of a Change in
         Control, the Company or Subsidiary terminates the Executive's
         employment during the Severance Period other than pursuant to Section
         3(a)(i), 3(a)(ii) or 3(a)(iii), or if the Executive terminates his
         employment pursuant to Section 3(b), the Company shall pay to the
         Executive the amounts described in Annex A within five business days
         after the Termination Date and shall provide to the Executive the
         benefits described on Annex A for the periods described therein.

                           (b) Without limiting the rights of the Executive at
         law or in equity, in the event it is determined that the Company fails
         to make any payment or provide any benefit required to be made or
         provided hereunder on a timely basis, the Company shall pay interest on
         the amount or value thereof at an annualized rate of interest equal to
         the so-called composite "prime rate" as quoted from time to time during
         the relevant period in The Wall Street Journal, plus 4%. Any change in
         such prime rate shall be effective on and as of the date of such
         change.

                           (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
         to the contrary, the parties' respective rights and obligations under
         this Section 4 and under Sections 5, 7, 8 and the last sentence of
         Section 9 will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement
         or the termination of the Executive's employment following a Change in
         Control for any reason whatsoever.

                           (d) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
         any applicable plan, program or agreement, upon the occurrence of a
         Change in Control, all equity incentive awards held by the Executive
         shall become fully vested and all stock options held by the Executive
         shall become fully exercisable.

                  5. Limitation on Payments and Benefits. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any amount or benefit to be paid
or provided under this Agreement would be an "Excess Parachute Payment," within
the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), or any successor provision thereto, but for the application of
this sentence, then the payments and benefits to be paid or provided under this
Agreement shall be reduced to the minimum extent necessary (but in no event to
less than zero) so that no portion of any such payment or benefit, as so
reduced, constitutes an Excess Parachute Payment; provided, however, that the
foregoing reduction shall be made only if and to the extent that such reduction
would result in an increase in the aggregate payment and benefits to be
provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax
imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor provision
thereto, any tax imposed by any comparable provision of state law, and any
applicable federal, state and local income taxes). The determination of whether
any reduction in such payments or benefits to be provided under this Agreement
or otherwise is required pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made at the
expense of the Company, if requested by the Executive or the Company, by the
Company's independent accountants. The fact that the Executive's right to
payments or benefits may be reduced by reason of the limitations contained in
this Section 5 shall not of itself limit or otherwise affect any other rights of
the Executive other than pursuant to this Agreement. In the

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event that any payment or benefit intended to be provided under this Agreement
or otherwise is required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 5, the Executive
shall be entitled to designate the payments and/or benefits to be so reduced in
order to give effect to this Section 5. The Company shall provide the Executive
with all information reasonably requested by the Executive to permit the
Executive to make such designation. In the event that the Executive fails to
make such designation within 10 business days of the Termination Date, the
Company may effect such reduction in any manner it deems appropriate.

                  6. No Mitigation Obligation. The Company hereby acknowledges
that it will be difficult and may be impossible for the Executive to find
reasonably comparable employment following the Termination Date. Accordingly,
the payment of the severance compensation by the Company to the Executive in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement is hereby acknowledged by the
Company to be reasonable, and the Executive will not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment
or otherwise, nor will any profits, income, earnings or other benefits from any
source whatsoever create any mitigation, offset, reduction or any other
obligation on the part of the Executive hereunder or otherwise, except as
expressly provided in the last sentence of Section 2 set forth on Annex A.

                  7. Legal Fees and Expenses. It is the intent of the Company
that the Executive not be required to incur legal fees and the related expenses
associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Executive's rights
under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense
thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to
the Executive hereunder. Accordingly, if the Executive reasonably believes that
the Company has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this
Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes or
threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or
institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to
recover from, the Executive the benefits provided or intended to be provided to
the Executive hereunder, subject to the other provisions of this Section 7, the
Company irrevocably authorizes the Executive from time to time to retain counsel
of Executive's choice, at the expense of the Company to the extent and as
hereafter provided, to advise and represent the Executive in connection with any
such interpretation, enforcement or defense, including, without limitation, the
initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or
against the Company or any director, officer, stockholder or other person
affiliated with the Company, in any jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any existing
or prior attorney-client relationship between the Company and such counsel, the
Company irrevocably consents to the Executive's entering into an attorney-client
relationship with such counsel, and in that connection the Company and the
Executive agree that a confidential relationship shall exist between the
Executive and such counsel. The Company will pay and be solely responsible for
any and all attorneys' and related fees and expenses incurred by the Executive
in connection with any of the foregoing, except to the extent that the Executive
fails to prevail on a material claim in any such proceeding described in this
Section 7.

                  8. Confidentiality. The Executive acknowledges that in the
course of his employment by the Company, he will or may have access to and
become informed of confidential or proprietary information (as defined in this
Section 8) of the Company. The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he
will not, without the prior written consent of the

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Company, during the Term or thereafter disclose to any person not employed by
the Company, or use in connection with engaging in competition with the Company,
any confidential or proprietary information of the Company. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "confidential or proprietary information" will include all
information of any nature and in any form that is owned by the Company and that
is not publicly available (other than by Executive's breach of this Section 8)
or generally known to persons engaged in businesses similar or related to those
of the Company. Confidential or proprietary information will include, without
limitation, the Company's financial matters, customers, employees, industry
contracts, strategic business plans, product development (or other proprietary
product data), marketing plans, and all other secrets and all other information
of a confidential or proprietary nature. For purposes of the preceding two
sentences, the term "Company" will also include any Subsidiary (collectively,
the "Restricted Group"). The foregoing obligations imposed by this Section 8
will not apply (i) during the Term, in the course of the business of and for the
benefit of the Company, (ii) if such confidential or proprietary information
will have become, through no fault of the Executive, generally known to the
public or (iii) if the Executive is required by law to make disclosure (after
giving the Company notice and an opportunity to contest such requirement).

                  9. Employment Rights. Nothing expressed or implied in this
Agreement will create any right or duty on the part of the Company or the
Executive to have the Executive remain in the employment of the Company or any
Subsidiary prior to or following any Change in Control. Any termination of
employment of the Executive or the removal of the Executive from the office or
position in the Company or any Subsidiary that occurs (i) not more than 90 days
prior to the date on which a Change in Control occurs, and (ii) following the
commencement of any discussion with a third person that ultimately results in a
Change in Control, shall be deemed to be a termination or removal of the
Executive after a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement.

                  10. Post-termination Assistance. Executive shall provide such
information and assistance to the Company as the Company may reasonably request,
upon reasonable notice, in connection with any litigation in which it or any of
its affiliates is or may become a party. The Company shall reimburse the
Executive for any expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Executive
in connection with providing such information and assistance.

                  11. Withholding of Taxes. The Company may withhold from any
amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as
the Company is required to withhold pursuant to any applicable law, regulation
or ruling.

                  12. Successors and Binding Agreement.

                           (a) The Company will require any successor (whether
         direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization
         or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of
         the Company, by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
         to the Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this
         Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would
         be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This
         Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company
         and any successor to the Company, including, without limitation, any
         persons acquiring directly or indirectly all or

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         substantially all of the business or assets of the Company whether by
         purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such
         successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Company" for the purposes of
         this Agreement), but will not otherwise be assignable, transferable or
         delegable by the Company.

                           (b) This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and
         be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal representatives,
         executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and
         legatees.

                           (c) This Agreement is personal in nature and neither
         of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign,
         transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations
         hereunder except as expressly provided in Sections 12(a) and 12(b).
         Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, the
         Executive's right to receive payments hereunder will not be assignable,
         transferable or delegable, whether by pledge, creation of a security
         interest, or otherwise, other than by a transfer by Executive's will or
         by the laws of descent and distribution and, in the event of any
         attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section 12(c), the
         Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be
         assigned, transferred or delegated.

                  13. Notices. For all purposes of this Agreement, all
communications, including, without limitation, notices, consents, requests or
approvals, required or permitted to be given hereunder will be in writing and
will be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered or dispatched by
electronic facsimile transmission (with receipt thereof orally confirmed), or
five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or three business
days after having been sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service
(such as Federal Express or UPS) addressed to the Company (to the attention of
the Secretary of the Company) at its principal executive office and to the
Executive at his principal residence, or to such other address as any party may
have furnished to the other in writing and in accordance herewith, except that
notices of changes of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

                  14. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction
and performance of this Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without giving
effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such State.

                  15. Validity. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstances is held
invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal, the remainder of this Agreement and
the application of such provision to any other person or circumstances will not
be affected, and the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise
illegal will be reformed to the extent (and only to the extent) necessary to
make it enforceable, valid or legal.

                  16. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is
agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and the Company. No waiver by
either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto or
compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be

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performed by such other party will be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No
agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, expressed or implied with
respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are
not set forth expressly in this Agreement. References to Sections are to
references to Sections of this Agreement.

                  17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which together will constitute one and the same agreement.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                    LAIDLAW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    By:   Beth Byster Corvino
                                    Its:  Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                                          and Corporate Secretary

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    By:   Jeffery A. McDougle

                                    Date:_______________________________________

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                                     ANNEX A

                  1. The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum payment
in an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (A) Base Pay (at the highest rate
in effect for any period prior to the Termination Date), plus (B) Incentive Pay
(in an amount equal to not less than the higher of (x) the highest aggregate
Incentive Pay earned in any fiscal year after the Change in Control or in any of
the three fiscal years immediately preceding the year in which the Change in
Control occurred or (y) the plan target for which the year in which the Change
in Control occurred).

                  2. The Company shall, for a period of twenty four (24) months
following the Termination Date (the "Continuation Period"), arrange to provide
the Executive with Employee Benefits that are welfare benefits (but not stock
option, stock purchase, stock appreciation or similar compensatory benefits)
substantially similar to those that the Executive was receiving or entitled to
receive immediately prior to the Termination Date (or, if greater, immediately
prior to the reduction, termination or denial described in Section 3(b)(ii)),
except that the level of any such Employee Benefits to be provided to the
Executive may be reduced in the event of a corresponding reduction generally
applicable to all recipients of or participants in such Employee Benefits, which
Continuation Period will be considered service with the Company for the purpose
of determining service credits and benefits due and payable to the Executive
under the Company's retirement income, supplemental executive retirement and
other benefit plans of the Company applicable to the Executive, his dependents
or his beneficiaries immediately prior to the Termination Date. Without
otherwise limiting the purpose or effect of Section 5, Employee Benefits
otherwise receivable by the Executive pursuant to this Section 2 will be reduced
to the extent comparable welfare benefits are actually received by the Executive
from another employer during the Continuation Period following the Executive's
Termination Date, and any such benefits actually received by the Executive shall
be reported by the Executive to the Company.

                  3. In addition to the retirement income, supplemental
executive retirement, and other benefits to which Executive is entitled under
the Retirement Plans, a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the actuarial
equivalent of the excess of (x) the retirement pension and the medical, life and
other benefits that would be payable to the Executive under the Retirement Plans
if Executive continued to be employed through the Continuation Period given the
Executive's Base Pay (as determined in Section 1) (without regard to any
amendment to the Retirement Plans made subsequent to a Change in Control which
adversely affects in any manner the computation of retirement or welfare
benefits thereunder), over (y) the retirement pension and the medical, life and
other benefits that the Executive is entitled to receive (either immediately or
on a deferred basis) under the Retirement Plans. For purposes of this Section,
"actuarial equivalent" shall be determined using the actuarial assumptions
mandated under Section 417(e)(3) of the Code in effect for the month second
preceding the date of payment and the Continuation Period will be considered
service with the Company for the purpose of determining service credits and
benefits due and payable to the Executive under the Company's retirement pension
and medical, life and other benefit plans of the Company applicable to the
Executive, his dependents or his beneficiaries immediately prior to the
Termination Date.

                  4. Reasonable outplacement services by a firm selected by the
Executive, at the expense of the Company, in an amount up to $25,000.

                                     Annex-1<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT 10(j)

                            LINDSAY MANUFACTURING CO.
                         MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN (MIP)
                                 2005 PLAN YEAR

1. PURPOSE

      The purpose of the Management Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to:

            -     Encourage performance consistent with the Company's business
                  strategy

            -     Focus on near-term performance results as well as progress
                  toward the achievement of long-term objectives

            -     Strengthen the link between performance and pay by delivering
                  awards based on measurable corporate and individual goals.

2. DEFINITIONS

      The terms used in this Plan have the meanings set forth below.

      A. "Company" shall mean Lindsay Manufacturing Co.

      B. "Compensation Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the
         Company's Board of Directors.

      C. "Financial Performance Component" shall mean the portion of a
         Participant's Plan award that is based on the Company's and specific
         Market financial performance as defined in Section 7B.

      D. "Individual Performance Component" shall mean the portion of a
         Participant's Plan award that is based on a Participant's performance
         relative to individual objectives established in accordance with
         Section 7C.

      E. "Named Executive Officers" shall mean the executives of the Company
         listed in the Executive Compensation section of the Company's Proxy
         Statement.

      F. "Participant" shall mean a key employee eligible for awards under the
         terms outlined in Section 4 of this Plan.

      G. "Plan" shall mean Lindsay Manufacturing Co. Management Incentive Plan.

<PAGE>

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

      The Plan shall be effective as of September 1, 2004 and will be in effect
      for the 2005 bonus year. The 2005 bonus year is defined as September 1,
      2004 through August 31, 2005.

4. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION

      A. Participation in the Plan is limited to individuals in positions which
         have significant responsibility for and impact on the Company's
         corporate performance.

      B. Only the Chief Executive Officer and those employees in grades E
         through G are eligible to be considered for participation in the Plan.

      C. Participation in the Plan does not guarantee or entitle any employee to
         participate in any bonus plan enacted in the future. Participation in
         the Plan at any target bonus level does not guarantee or entitle any
         employee to be eligible to participate at any similar target bonus
         level in any bonus plan which may be enacted in the future.

5. ENROLLMENT IN THE PLAN

      A. Initial Enrollment

            At the beginning of the Plan year, each Participant must be enrolled
            in the Plan subject to the approvals and eligibility criteria set
            forth in Sections 4 and 6. The enrollment process is as follows:

            i.  Plan Participants will participate in the Plan at the standard
                target percent per grade level as listed in Section 6.

            ii. The Company's Chief Executive Officer will review the
                participant list and projected bonus costs of enrolled employees
                with the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee
                provides final approval on the aggregate potential cost of the
                Plan.

      B. Mid-year Enrollment

            When hiring or promoting employees during the Plan year who may be
            eligible for participation in the Plan, the following procedures
            must be followed:

            i.  Prior to the commencement of the recruiting or promotion
                process, the hiring manager consults with Human Resources to
                determine the position's eligibility for participation in the
                Plan and the recommended target bonus amount.

            ii. Offer letters indicating bonus Plan participation and target
                bonus award opportunities to new hires and/or promoted employees
                must be reviewed by the CEO or, in the case of a Named Executive
                Officer, by the Compensation Committee. Target bonus
                recommendations must be approved before communication to a
                prospective Participant. Generally, employees hired or promoted
                during the fourth quarter 2005 are not eligible to participate
                in the 2005 Plan.

<PAGE>

6. DETERMINATION OF TARGET PAYOUT LEVELS

      A. Incentive awards will be calculated as a percentage of the
         Participant's actual base salary received during the Plan year. While
         award amounts will vary based on the range of award opportunity and an
         assessment of individual performance results, the target award
         opportunities for each grade level are shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GRADE           TARGET % OF SALARY
<S>             <C>
 CEO                    60%
  G                     35%
  F                     25%
  E                     15%
</TABLE>

            i.  Actual participation is subject to approval by the CEO, or in
                the case of a Named Executive Officer, by the Compensation
                Committee. Actual participation is based on an assessment of the
                individual's position impact on the organization.

            ii. Standard target percents per grade level should be followed for
                all Plan Participants.

      B. If a Participant's Plan target award opportunity (Target % of Salary as
         set forth above) changes due to promotion into a grade level with a
         higher target bonus, the Participant's bonus will be calculated based
         on his or her actual salary during the Plan year and a weighted average
         bonus percentage. The weighted average bonus percentage will reflect
         the portion of the Plan year spent in each grade level (e.g., seven
         months at 15% and five months at 25%). In evaluating the performance of
         Participants who change positions during the Plan year, consideration
         will be given to the length of time and results in each position.
         Actual award decisions will be made by the CEO or, in the case of a
         Named Executive Officer, by the Compensation Committee. Generally,
         fourth quarter promotions will not result in an increase in a
         Participant's target award opportunity.

      C. Examples of various award calculations are included with this Plan
         document as Attachment A.

      D. The CEO will review and approve award recommendations for all employees
         other than Named Executive Officers prior to payout. Final approval
         authority for all payments (except for award payments to the Named
         Executive Officers) rests with the CEO. Individual award payments for
         all Participants (except the Named Executive Officers) may be adjusted
         at any time and for any reason at the discretion of the CEO.

      E. The Compensation Committee will determine the award payments to the
         Named Executive Officers.

      F. Award payments will be calculated on an annual basis and paid in
         accordance with the Company's normal payroll cycle. Payments will be
         made during the first quarter following the Plan year. The payment date
         may be changed at any time and for any reason at the discretion of the
         CEO, or in the case of a Named Executive Officer, with approval of the
         Compensation Committee.

<PAGE>

7. BASIS OF AWARDS

      A. Measurable performance objectives for each Plan Participant will be
         established at the beginning of the Plan year (or at mid-year for
         mid-year hires or newly eligible employees). In 2005, consideration
         will be given to:

            i.   Financial Performance Component: Company and Market financial
                 performance vs. Plan performance objectives in accordance with
                 Section 7B.

            ii.  Individual Performance Component: Participant's performance
                 relative to individual goals established in accordance with
                 Section 7C.

            iii. Individual and Financial Performance Components will be added
                 to reach a Participant's total bonus. The relative weighting
                 will vary by grade in accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Financial             Individual
Grade               Performance            Performance
<S>                 <C>                    <C>
 CEO                    80%                    20%
  G                     80%                    20%
  F                     65%                    35%
  E                     50%                    50%
</TABLE>

      B. At the beginning of the Plan year, the objectives for the Financial
         Performance Component are identified and approved by the Compensation
         Committee.

            i.   Recommended award amounts may range from 0 - 200% of the
                 Financial Performance Component of the Participant's target
                 award, based on performance.

            ii.  Percentages between the threshold, target, and maximum award
                 will be interpolated.

            iii. In the event of an acquisition, revenue and operating income
                 resulting from the acquisition will be excluded from award
                 payout calculations, unless

                 a) the CEO or Compensation Committee suggests a modification to
                    the objectives under the Financial Performance Component
                    that would incorporate revenue and income generated as a
                    result of the acquisition, and

                 b) The Compensation Committee approves the modification.

      C. The Individual Performance Component will be based on written
         objectives set annually for Participants by their supervisors and
         approved by the CEO or, in the case of a Named Executive Officer, by
         the Compensation Committee. Objectives will be based on the
         Participant's position and may be financial, operational or strategic.

            i.   Objectives under the Individual Performance Component may be
                 linked to team-based goals, if appropriate

<PAGE>

            ii.  Examples of appropriate objectives under the Individual
                 Performance Component include:

                       -     Safety

                       -     Customer Service

                       -     Market Share

                       -     On-time Delivery

                       -     Cost Reduction

                       -     Product Development

            iii. Recommended award amounts may range from 0% - 200% of the
                 target amount under the Individual Performance Component.
                 Recommended award amounts will be based on an assessment of the
                 individual's performance relative to objectives established
                 under the Individual Performance Component, in accordance with
                 the following guidelines:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Payout
                       Individual                     (as % of Target Individual
                       Performance                      Performance Component)
<S>                                                   <C>
                Does not meet objectives                           0%
                  Meets some objectives                           50%
                  Meets most objectives                           75%
                  Meets all objectives                           100%
                   Exceeds objectives                            150%
            Significantly exceeds objectives                     200%
</TABLE>

            iv.  The "Payout (as % of Target Individual Performance Component)"
                 represents the payout relative to target award for the
                 Individual Performance Component of the Plan.

8. CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS

      A. Under most circumstances, Participants who cease to be employees of the
         Company during the Plan year or after the Plan year but prior to the
         date of actual payment will receive no award. Only active employees on
         the date that the bonus is paid will be eligible to receive an award.
         Any exceptions will require the approval of the CEO, or in the case of
         a Named Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee.

      B. In the event that a Participant transfers out of an eligible position
         into an ineligible position within the Company, the employee may be
         eligible for a prorated bonus award based upon the approval of the CEO,
         or in the case of a Named Executive Officer, the Compensation
         Committee.

      C. In all cases awards will be calculated and paid according to the
         provisions in Sections 6 and 7 of this Plan document.

9. ADMINISTRATION

      A. General authority for Plan administration and responsibility for
         ongoing Plan administration will rest with the Compensation Committee
         of the Company's Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has
         sole authority for decisions regarding interpretation of the terms of
         this Plan.

<PAGE>

      B. The Company reserves the right to amend or change the Plan in whole or
         in part at any time during the Plan year. Amendments to the Plan
         require the approval of the Compensation Committee.

      C. Participation in the Plan does not constitute a contract of employment
         nor a contractual agreement of payment. It shall not affect the right
         of the Company to discharge, transfer, or change the position of a
         Participant. The Plan shall not be construed to limit or prevent the
         Company from adopting or changing, from time to time, any rules,
         standards or procedures affecting the Participant's employment with the
         Company or any Company affiliate, including those which affect bonus
         payouts.

      D. If any provision of this Plan is found to be illegal, invalid or
         unenforceable under present or future laws, that provision shall be
         severed from the Plan. If such a provision is severed, this Plan shall
         be construed and enforced as if the severed provision had never been
         part of it and the remaining provisions of this Plan shall remain in
         full force and effect and shall not be affected by the severed
         provisions or by its severance from this Plan. In place of any severed
         provision there shall be added automatically as part of this Plan a
         provision as similar in terms to the severed provision as may be
         possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

      E. This is not an ERISA plan. This is a bonus program.

<PAGE>

                                  ATTACHMENT A
                          AWARD CALCULATION GUIDELINES

The following examples are to be used as guidelines in calculating bonus awards
at the end of the 2004 Plan year. Managers should use their discretion in
calculating actual bonus awards and may consider exceptions to the calculations
below when necessary. Any such exceptions must be fully documented and are
subject to review and approval by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the case of
a Named Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Target
                                                                                                                   Award
                                                                                                                   -----
<S>                                                                                                               <C>
Full Year Participation
-     September 1 - August 31
-     Target award opportunity:                                              15%
-     Actual base salary received:                                      $75,000
-     Plan target award calculation:                                    $75,000 * 15% =                           $ 11,250

Partial Year Participation
-     February 15 - August 31
-     Target award opportunity:                                              25%
-     Actual base salary received (for partial year employment):        $61,250
-     Plan target award calculation:                                    $61,250 * 25% =                           $ 15,312

Mid-year Promotion
-     March 1 promotion
-     Actual base salary received:                                      $94,000
-     Target award opportunity at beginning of year:                         15%
-     Target award opportunity upon promotion:                               25%
-     Months from September 1 - March 1:                                6 months
-     Months from March 1 - August 31:                                  6 months
-     Weighted average target award calculation:                        ((15% * 6 months) + (25% * 6 months)) /
                                                                        12 months = 20.0%
-     Plan target award calculation:                                    $94,000 * 20.0%                           $ 18,800
</TABLE>

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