“THIS INSTITUTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.“

The District’s History, Composition and Functions

The Harrisville Fire District (hereinafter referred to as “Harrisville” or the “District”) was originally incorporated in 1910.   It is comprised of the Harrisville Fire Department, Hose Company No. 1, and the Harrisville Water Department.  It is located in the heart of the Town of Burrillville, and encompasses the historic villages of Harrisville and a portion of Glendale.  After the Glendale Fire District was dissolved, it was divided between the Harrisville and Oakland-Mapleville Fire Districts, using the Clear River as the boundary line

Harrisville is a non-profit, quasi-municipal corporation organized and existing pursuant to a corporate charter granted by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, with a principal office located at 115 Central Street in the Village of Harrisville, Town of Burrillville.  It is empowered to tax the real and personal property of residents of the District to defray the cost of fire suppression, rescue and other services provided to residents pursuant to its charter.  As a natural adjunct to its fire-fighting function of supplying water to fire hydrants, and in accordance with the authority granted in its charter, the Harrisville also supplies potable water to residents of the District for a fee based on the volume of water usage.  Harrisville qualifies as a supplier of public drinking water as defined in R.I.G.L. §46-15.3-4.  Harrisville is currently compromised of approximately 1,150 households.  Harrisville is managed by an Operating Committee composed of seven members elected by qualified voters residing within Harrisville’s geographic boundaries as established by the General Assembly.  The Committee has a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary elected by and from members of the Operating Committee.  For convenience, Harrisville is internally divided between two departments, the Water Department and the Fire Department.  The Chairperson of the Operating Committee provides overall general supervisory assistance and guidance with respect to the day to day operations of both departments and reports directly to the Operating Committee.

Water Department

The Water Department is run by the Water Subcommittee of the Operating Committee.  The Superintendent manages day to operations in the field, while the Office Manager is responsible for day to day clerical activities in the District office.  Many of the households in the District are served by Harrisville’s water system, as well as four of the five Burrillville schools, the library, and the Town Hall.  Harrisville also supplies water to over 150 fire hydrants in the District and Oakland-Mapleville.  It is estimated that approximately 3,000 people are served by Harrisville’s water system, or approximately 1/7th of the town’s population.  Harrisville is also the sole wholesale supplier of water to the Pascoag Utility District, which serves an estimated 4,000 people.  The water system relies on two large water tanks to provide sufficient pressure for both domestic and fire-fighting purposes.  Harrisville obtains the water supply for its system from several gravel packed wells located within the Town.  As part of its water system management plan, Harrisville continues to upgrade and expand its water system to meet the ever increasing demand of a growing Burrillville community.

Fire Department

The Fire Department is run by the Fire Subcommittee of the Operating Committee.  The Fire Chief is responsible, in conjunction with the  Subcommittee, for establishing and implementing policy of the Fire District.  The Crew Chief manages and supervises day to day operations of the Rescue/Fire Service.  The Harrisville Hose Company is the social aspect of the Fire Department.  The Hose Company was organized in February of 1912 as a firefighting organization. Today the company supports various community activities within the Town of Burrillville and the village of Harrisville.  The mission of Harrisville Hose Company No. 1 is to provide the highest standards of emergency services to all in need and continue our partnership with the community by remaining “Loyal to our Duty.”  The Fire Department is currently composed five full time EMT/firefighters, including the Crew Chief.  It also has approximately 40 volunteer firefighters, 22 of whom are EMTs, as well as 5 junior firefighters (ages 16-18).