Frequently Asked Questions

We provide 911 fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services for the Town of Foster, Rhode Island. Our fire company is volunteer; our EMS division, Foster EMS, is career-staffed around the clock. Learn more on our About page.

No — the Town of Foster has three fire districts: South Foster (Station #1), Foster Center (Station #3), and Moosup Valley (Station #2). Foster EMS answers every 911 medical call townwide. See the district map and contacts on our Burn Permits page.

5 Mt. Hygeia Road, Foster, RI 02825. For non-emergency questions, see our Contact page. In an emergency, always call 911.

The Town of Foster funds part of the operation. A large part of the budget still comes from donations and community fundraising. See our Donate page.

Stop by the station on a Tuesday evening around 7:30 PM to pick up an application and meet some members. No prior experience is needed — we train you, and the company covers the cost of state and national certification. Details on the Membership page.

14. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian's written permission.

No. We train you, and the company covers the cost of state and national certification for members who pursue it.

Yes — plenty. Members help with EMS first response, fundraising and events, apparatus and building maintenance, and administration. There's a place for you whether or not you want to run calls.

No. Many roles don't involve responding to emergencies, so members can live anywhere. We do ask that members who respond to calls live within a few miles of the district.

Every Tuesday evening at the station. The first Tuesday of the month is the company business meeting (7:00 PM); every other Tuesday is training night. See the calendar on our Training page.

South Foster Volunteer Fire Company, operating as “South Foster Fire Department #1 DBA Foster EMS.” It's career-staffed around the clock. Details on our Foster EMS page.

Ambulance billing is handled by Coronis Healthcare at 401-572-3120.

Yes — we publish aggregate, de-identified call statistics on our EMS Run Statistics page. No patient information is included.

Foster EMS answers every 911 medical call in Foster and also provides mutual aid to neighboring towns when they request it.

Contact the EMS Coordinator through the form on our Foster EMS page, or email ems1@southfosterfire.com.

Yes. A permit is required for any open burning in Foster, and it only covers brush — not trash, lumber, or other combustible materials. Full details on our Burn Permits page.

Call the fire department for your district (South Foster, Foster Center, or Moosup Valley) during daylight hours, after that day's fire-danger classification has been announced. Phone numbers and the district map are on our Burn Permits page.

No — burn permits are free.

No. A permit is good only for the day it's issued, and it can't be issued until the day's fire-danger classification is set (between 9:00 and 10:00 AM). If you don't burn that day, call again the next time.

Yes. South Foster firefighters will come to your house to check your alarms for $30. Request one on our Smoke & CO Detector Inspections page.

It's a $30 service for residents of the Town of Foster. We check that you have alarms in the right places, test each one and check its age, look for a CO alarm near the sleeping areas, and answer questions about escape planning. Tell us when you request the visit if you need alarms or batteries.

Yes — capacity is 122 people. Rates, availability, photos, and the request form are on our Hall Rental page. You can also read the full rental agreement (PDF).

$150 per day for up to 50 guests, or $225 per day for 50 or more, plus a $250 security deposit paid by a separate check. The deposit is refunded after your event once the hall is cleaned and left as you found it.

Check the availability calendar and send a request through the Hall Rental page. A date isn't held until we've confirmed it with you and received the signed agreement with payment. Full payment is due when you apply.

Yes, inside the hall. Alcohol may not be sold, and it may not be taken or consumed outside the building.

Clean up after the event — floors swept, spills wiped, trash to the dumpster, kitchen cleaned, tables and chairs stacked, all decorations removed, thermostat reset, and the key returned. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the deposit is returned within 15 days. The full checklist is in the rental agreement.

The upper driveway, at 7 Mt. Hygeia Road. The lower driveway (5 Mt. Hygeia Road) is the fire station.

The 14th Annual Fall Foliage 5K & 10K is Saturday, October 17, 2026, in historic Foster Center. Register online, download a mail-in form, or check sponsorship levels on our Road Race page.

Yes. Day-of registration is $35 and opens at check-in, 7:00 AM; the race starts at 9:00 AM. Pre-registration is $30 (or $15 for ages 12 and under in the 5K) and closes October 16 at 11:59 PM.

Use the Foster Fairgrounds lot — enter at 84 Foster Center Road. The race starts and ends in the town center.

Register by October 1 to be guaranteed a shirt. After that, including on race day, shirts are first-come, first-served.

Yes — it's a dog- and stroller-friendly event. Please keep dogs leashed at all times.

See current giving options on our Donate page. The Town of Foster funds part of our operation; the rest comes from donations and community fundraising.

Yes — South Foster Volunteer Fire Company is a 501(c) organization. Keep your receipt for your records.