Emergency Management

In an emergency, please dial 911

Winter Storm Contact Information from Verizon

The Verizon contact number for residents for telecommunications related issues during this winter season is 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966). The website www.verizon.com/support may also be accessed if electric power is available.

The telecommunications network, like your home, requires power to function properly.  If commercial power goes out, backup batteries and generators in Verizon’s central switching offices or field facilities keep power flowing so customers’ phones ring even when the lights go out.

To Report Service Related Issues: Customers can contact Verizon at 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) or online at www.verizon.com/support to report any service-related issue. 

Emergency Shelter

After a year of work, the American Red Cross (ARC) formally recognized the Captain Isaac Paine School as the Town's Emergency Shelter / Hurricane Shelter. Providing a formal Emergency Shelter for the Town has been an important goal of the Town for a number of years, and with the Red Cross recognition comes the possibility of being reimbursed by the ARC for any expenses incurred by the Town during an actual emergency. Installation of an emergency generator at the school occurred in November of 2008 as a second major step in the process of making this shelter a fully functioning reality.

Emergency Shelter Team
The Town of Foster's new Emergency Shelter Team is now up and running, ready to help town residents in case of an emergency or natural disaster, such as a hurricane, ice storm, or pandemic flu. During the Spring of 2009, the American Red Cross provided training to team members at no cost. This training included CPR for adults, children, and infants, Standard First Aid, Psychological First Aid, Mass Care, and Shelter Operations. In fact, on Saturday, June 6, 2009, our local Team held an emergency simulation drill at the Paine School where the Team worked with representatives from the American Red Cross to simulate an actual emergency. Team members also participated in the H1N1 Vaccination Clinic held at Paine School this past November and expect to run training and drills a couple of times each year to remain active and current in the required areas.

Sandbags
A limited number of sandbags are available to residents during an emergency. Empty bags may be picked up at the Foster Police Department, residents may fill bags with sand at the Department of Public Works yard.

Helpful Links

Get Hurricane Ready Rhode Island!

National Hurricane Center - NOAA

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

American Red Cross/Rhode Island Chapter