The Harrisville Fire District (hereinafter referred to as "Harrisville" or the "District") was originally incorporated in 1910.  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 East Burrillville 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.

Harrisville is currently compromised of approximately 1,652 Residential Homes/Condos/Residential Buildings on Leased Land, 36 Commercial Properties and 150 Tax Exempted including 4 of 5 Schools, Fire Department, Municipal Buildings, State Properties, 1 Federal Building, 3 Churches and Cemeteries. Harrisville is managed by an Operating Committee composed of five 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. The Chairperson of the Operating Committee provides overall general supervisory assistance and guidance with respect to the day-to-day operations and reports directly to the Operating Committee.