R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-18-1
Any city or town may annually appropriate, in the manner provided by law for appropriations and expenditures by a city or town, a sum to be expended and paid to any volunteer fire company or companies or other organization or organizations created, for the purpose of and engaged in the work of extinguishing fires and suppressing fire hazards within the limits of the city or town, whether the company or companies or organization or organizations incorporated or not, to be used by the volunteer fire company or companies or organization or organizations for equipment, property, salary, or other expenses in connection with and for the work of extinguishing fires and suppressing fire hazards within the limits of the city or town; provided, that the town of Cumberland may annually appropriate funds to any and all the incorporated fire districts in the town for any purpose authorized by the charter of the district or districts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-18-1