The Novato Fire District respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the security of your personal information. This privacy policy (“Policy”) describes how we at Novato Fire District (“NFD,” “we,” “us,” and/or “our”) may collect, use, and disclose personal information that we obtain from you (“you,” “User,” or “Users”) or through www.novatofire.org and other websites, newsletters, and applications that link to this Policy (collectively, the “Websites”).

“Personal information” in this Policy includes information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a resident or a household. Personal information does not include publicly available information that is lawfully available to the general public.

Please read this Policy carefully to understand our policies and practices regarding your personal information and how we will treat it. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, your choice is not to use the Websites or submit information to us. By accessing or using our Websites and/or submitting information to us, you agree with this Policy. This Policy may change from time to time (see Changes to This Policy). Your continued use of the Websites and/or provision of information to us after we make changes are deemed to be acceptance of those changes, so please check this Policy periodically for updates.

We are based in the United States and the information we collect is governed by U.S. law. If you are accessing the Websites from outside of the U.S., please be aware that information collected through the Websites may be transferred to, processed, stored, and used in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Data protection laws in other jurisdictions may be different from those of your country of residence. Your use of the Websites or provision of any information therefore constitutes your consent to the transfer to and from, processing, usage, sharing, and storage of information about you in the U.S. and other jurisdictions as set out in this Policy.

Users may find content on our Websites that link to the sites and services of our partners, and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Websites. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our site, is subject to that website’s own terms and policies.

Personal Information

We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users subscribe to the newsletter, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Websites. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, phone number, and/or email address. Users may visit our site anonymously, and can always refuse to supply personal information, with the understanding that it may prevent them from engaging in certain site related activities.

Automatic information

We may collect automatic information about Users whenever they interact with our Websites. This information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Websites, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

Cookies

When accessing and visiting our Websites, data may be collected from you through the use of cookies, which are sent to your computer and saved automatically. We use cookies primarily to maintain, operate, and improve your experience on our Websites, including to analyze website traffic and run analytics, remember your preferences, and optimize your experience by personalizing content.

While, many websites and applications, including our Websites, at this time do not recognize automated browser signals regarding tracking mechanisms, such as “do not track” instructions, you can generally express your privacy preferences regarding the use of most cookies and similar technologies through your web browser. Look under the heading “tools” (or similar heading) in your particular browser for information about controlling cookies. In most instances, you can choose to have your browser warn you each time a cookie is being sent, giving you the option to decide whether to accept it or not. You can also generally set your browser to turn off cookies. Like most websites, if you turn your cookies off, some of the features on the Websites may not function properly. You can also delete cookies already on your device via the settings of your web browser. To learn more about cookies please visit https://www.allaboutcookies.org.

NFD uses your personal information:

• In ways that you would expect us to based on why we collected it (for example to respond to your questions and comments).
• To identify and authenticate you, such as to determine and validate whether you are an existing user.
• To communicate with you, such as sending you emails, invitations, newsletters, awareness campaigns, and announcements. If a User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include news, updates, related service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.
• To maintain the safety, security, and integrity of our Websites and services, and for our own internal legal compliance purposes.
• To protect the health and safety of our personnel, guests, and the general public.
• For other purposes explained at the time of collection, or for other purposes consistent with the context of the collection of your information.
• We may use information that does not identify you and could not reasonably be used to identify you (including information that has been aggregated, anonymized, or de-identified) for any purpose except as prohibited by applicable law.

We use appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal information.

Information necessary to provide services is maintained in accordance with our data retention policies and to comply with our legal obligations.

We do not rent, lease, or sell your personal information. We may use third party service providers to help us operate our business and the Websites or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys.

Google Analytics

NFD uses Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google utilizes cookie and usage data to track and examine the use of our Websites, to prepare reports on its activities and share them with other Google services. Google may use the data collected to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network. Our Websites also use Google’s Interest-based advertising or 3rd-party audience data (such as age, gender, and interests) as part of Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting. Information about Google Analytics and the ways in which you can control the information that is shared by your device when you visit or interact with sites and apps that use Google Services can be found here: Privacy Policy – Privacy & Terms – Google.

We do not knowingly collect, maintain, or use personal information from children under 18 years of age, and no part of our website is directed to children. By using this site, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence, or that you are the age of majority in your state or province of residence, and you have given us your consent to allow any of your minor dependents to use this site.

If you learn that a child has provided us with personal information in violation of this Policy, or you are under 18 and would like information provided to us removed, please alert us at jcrayne@novatofire.org.

We reserve the right to modify this Policy at any time, so please review it frequently. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon posting. When we make changes to this Policy, we will post the updated policy on our Websites and update the Policy’s effective date. Your continued use of our Websites following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact the Administrative Services Manager jcrayne@novatofire.org.

This Privacy Policy was Last Updated: May 6, 2024