Last UpdateD 12/2/2025
PRIVACY POLICY
The Albion Joint Fire District (“AJFD,” “we,” “our,” or “the District”) is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors who use our official website. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how it is stored, and the rights of visitors under applicable New York State laws and other governing requirements.
As a public entity of the State of New York, AJFD complies with all relevant statutes including, but not limited to:
- New York State Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6)
- Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law, Article 7)
- Records Management & Retention Requirements administered by the NYS Archives
- Website requirements outlined in the District’s Section 17 Compliance Document
- Generally accepted government web standards for privacy, accessibility, and security
1. Information We Collect
AJFD’s website is designed to collect the minimum amount of information necessary to operate effectively and meet statutory obligations.
A. Information Automatically Collected
When you visit the website, our servers may automatically log:
- IP address (for security and diagnostic purposes)
- Date and time of visit
- Pages accessed
- Browser type and device information
- Referring website (if applicable)
Source requirements:
- This limited logging is consistent with government-website best practices and Section 17’s requirement to maintain secure and auditable website operations.
- No commercial analytics or tracking (e.g., Google Ads, remarketing) is used.
B. Information You Voluntarily Provide
You may choose to provide information when:
- Submitting a contact form
- Requesting public records
- Signing up for District notices or alerts (if applicable)
- Emailing District officials
This information may include your name, email address, phone number, and any content you voluntarily submit.
FOIL Note:
Any information submitted to the District may become subject to public disclosure under New York’s Freedom of Information Law unless it falls under a statutory exemption.
2. How We Use Information
Information collected is used solely for:
- Responding to inquiries
- Fulfilling legally required communications
- Processing FOIL requests
- Maintaining secure and functional website operations
- Improving website accessibility and performance
AJFD does not:
- Sell or share personal information with third parties
- Use information for marketing or commercial advertising
- Track users across websites
These restrictions are consistent with NYS guidelines for government websites and best practices recommended for FOIL-compliant digital architecture.
3. Data Security
AJFD and its authorized service providers (including Fortis Business Consultants, acting as a contracted administrator) maintain appropriate security measures to protect digital records.
Security standards include:
- Secure hosting environment
- DNS and email systems managed under the District’s authority
- Regular updates and patches
- Access limited to authorized personnel only
- Monitoring of system logs for unauthorized activity
Section 17 Reference:
These measures align with the requirement that the District maintain a secure, auditable, and resilient digital presence.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
The AJFD website uses minimal, non-tracking cookies, solely for:
- User session management
- Accessibility features
- Performance and security
We do not use cookies for advertising, profiling, or third-party tracking.
5. Public Records & FOIL Compliance
As a New York public agency, most records received through this website may be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) (Public Officers Law, Article 6).
Examples of records that may be disclosed:
- Emails sent to the District
- Contact form submissions
- Requests for service or information
Examples of records that may be withheld:
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Law-enforcement sensitive materials
- Information protected by other statutes
How Fortis Reduces FOIL Risk:
The website has been intentionally structured to:
- Limit unnecessary data collection
- Separate public-facing content from internal operational systems
- Avoid storing operational documents directly on the public CMS
- Ensure clear categorization and retention of official documents
This reduces inadvertent record creation and helps maintain compliance.
6. Links to External Websites
The AJFD website may provide links to external websites for convenience or reference. The District is not responsiblefor the privacy practices or content of external sites.
7. Records Retention
All information collected or stored through the website is managed according to:
- New York State Archives Retention and Disposition Schedules applicable to fire districts
- Section 17 requirements for document posting and public availability
Records are retained or disposed of only in accordance with law.
8. Accessibility (ADA / WCAG Compliance)
AJFD strives to maintain a website that conforms to WCAG 2.1 AA standards, ensuring access for all residents, including those using assistive technologies.
If you encounter an accessibility barrier, please contact us so we can assist.
9. Changes to This Policy
AJFD may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legislative, administrative, or technical changes. Updates will be posted with a revised “Last Updated” date.
10. Contact Information
For questions about this Privacy Policy, FOIL requests, or website operations, contact:
Albion Joint Fire District
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | Albion Joint Fire District, P.O. Box 2, Albion NY 14411 |
| Physical Address | 108 North Platt Street, Albion, NY 14411 (Fire Hall) |
| Non-Emergency Phone | (585) 589-4223 |
| Emergency | Call 911 |
| rhicks@albionjointfiredistrict.com (District Secretary) | |
| Social Media | Follow us on Facebook |