R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-11-2
The local chief shall be elected, appointed, or designated by the procedure established and within the framework spelled out in the fire company or fire district, city or town charter, by-laws, constitution, or any other existing format for appointment of a fire chief. The fire chief's term of office is recognized as that which is spelled out in the fire company or fire district, city or town charter, by-laws, constitution, or any other existing format for such term of appointment. The fire chief elected, appointed, or designated shall forthwith notify the director of the department of environmental management of the election, appointment, or designation and shall further notify the director of his or her specific forest fire district and jurisdiction. The director may then enter into agreements with each fire chief and fire company to provide assistance and to accept assistance in the prevention and control of forest fires and enforcement of forest fire laws that may include training of personnel. It is the responsibility of the city or town council to appoint a qualified resident to forest fire chief and to designate a forest fire company for any portion of the city or town not protected by an existing fire chief and fire company. If the city or town council of any city or town shall fail to appoint a fire chief as required by this section, the director of the department of environmental management shall appoint some qualified resident of the city or town to act as fire chief until an appointment shall be made by the city or town council as provided in this section. In any fire company or fire district, the fire chief shall establish and define his or her forest fire district and jurisdiction and shall designate a qualified resident of each district to serve as authorized senior officer. Any designated senior officer shall serve at the pleasure of the fire chief by whom he or she was designated. A fire chief shall notify the director of the department of environmental management of each authorized senior officer designated by him or her, and of each removal from designation by him or her, forthwith upon the designation or removal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-11-2