About Foster Center Fire Company
Our Organization
The Foster Center Fire Company is a dedicated team of trained volunteers who proudly protect the heart of Foster, Rhode Island. We provide fire suppression, emergency response, and community safety services. We are powered entirely by neighbors who choose to serve. We are 100% volunteer and 100% dedicated to Foster.
We're rooted in this community. Most of our firefighters live here, raise their families here, and show up day or night because protecting Foster isn't just our duty, it's our pride. Every call we answer, every training night, every school visit, and every community event reflects our commitment to keeping our town safe, prepared, and supported.
Our Mission
Our mission is to protect the lives, property, and well-being of the Foster community through skilled fire suppression, emergency response, and proactive safety education. As a fully volunteer department, we are committed to delivering dependable, professional service at every call - day or night, We strive to be a steady, trusted presence for our neighbors, responding with courage, compassion, and integrity.
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We also believe that a strong community is a safe community. Our mission extends beyond emergencies to include public outreach, prevention programs, and partnerships that help Foster stay informed and prepared. By investing our time, training, and heart into the town we call home, we work to strengthen community resilience and ensure that every resident knows they can count on us when it matters most.
Our History
Serving the Heart of Foster Since 1953
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The Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company, proudly known today as Station 3, has been a cornerstone of public safety and community service in Foster, Rhode Island for more than seven decades. Established on May 29, 1953, the company was formed by local residents who recognized the urgent need for organized fire protection in the rural, heavily wooded center of town. Their commitment laid the foundation for a tradition of volunteerism that continues to define the department.
Our Founding (1953)
In the early 1950s, Foster’s geography—long distances, dirt roads, and limited municipal infrastructure—made fire protection a challenge. A group of dedicated community members came together to create a formal fire company that could respond quickly and reliably to emergencies in the Foster Center village and surrounding areas.
On May 29, 1953, the Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company was officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Rhode Island. This marked the beginning of Station 3’s mission: to protect life, property, and the natural landscape of Foster through volunteer service.
Building a Community Fire Company
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the company grew steadily. Volunteers trained, fundraised, and maintained equipment themselves, often relying on donated materials and community support. The firehouse at 86 Foster Center Road became not only a response station but a gathering place where neighbors worked side by side to strengthen public safety.
As the town evolved, so did the company’s capabilities. Over the decades, Station 3 expanded its services to include:
- Structural and wildland fire suppression
- Emergency medical response
- Motor vehicle accident rescue
- Mutual aid to surrounding towns
- Fire prevention education for families and schools
This growth reflected the company’s commitment to meeting the changing needs of the community.
Modernization & Continued Service
By the 1990s, the Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company had become a fully established nonprofit public safety organization, recognized by the IRS with a ruling year of 1994. While the company remained 100% volunteer, its training, equipment, and operational standards continued to advance. Whether responding to structure fires, medical emergencies, brush fires, or severe weather incidents, the company remains a vital part of Foster’s emergency response system.
A Tradition of Volunteerism
What has never changed is the heart of the organization: its volunteers. For more than 70 years, residents of Foster have stepped forward—day and night, in every season—to protect their neighbors. This spirit of service is the foundation of Station 3’s identity.
The company continues to operate as a nonprofit, community‑driven organization, supported by donations, grants, and the commitment of its members. Volunteers train rigorously, maintain equipment, and uphold the values established by the founders in 1953.
Our Role in Foster Today
Station 3 remains deeply connected to the community it serves. The company participates in town events, provides safety education, supports local families, and works closely with Foster’s other fire companies and regional mutual‑aid partners.
As Foster grows and changes, the Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company continues to evolve, honoring its history while preparing for the future.
Looking Ahead
More than seven decades after its founding, the mission remains the same:
Protect the community. Serve with integrity. Answer the call.
The Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company is proud of its history and grateful for every volunteer, supporter, and resident who has helped shape the department since 1953. Together, we continue the legacy of service that defines Station 3.