Privacy Statement

1. Who We Are

Firefighter Rescues Alberta ("FFRA", "we", "us", "our") is a volunteer research and educational collective based in Alberta, Canada. We operate this website, firefighterrescuesalberta (the "Site"), and associated data-collection tools to analyze civilian rescues and fatalities in Alberta structure fires, and to share findings with the fire service and the public.

This Privacy Statement applies to personal information collected through the Site, through forms we publish, and through direct correspondence with our team. It is intended to be consistent with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Alberta privacy legislation.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information we need to operate the project. Specifically:

• Information you voluntarily submit Name, email, department or agency, role, rank, location, and any narrative, incident or case details you provide through our contact form, rescue-submission form, research questionnaires or direct email.
• Incident & rescue data Non-identifying operational facts about fireground incidents (e.g. address redactions, dispatch time, building type, tactics, outcomes). We do not publish civilian victim names or identifying details without lawful authority.
• Technical information Basic server and browser information such as IP address, device type, referring page, and pages visited. This information is used in aggregate to operate and secure the Site.
• Cookies & local storage Our Site uses only strictly necessary cookies and local storage required for the Site to function (e.g. remembering whether the mobile menu is open). We do not use advertising cookies or third-party behavioural tracking.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 16. If you believe a minor has submitted information to us, please contact us and we will delete it.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information only for purposes that are reasonable in the circumstances, including to:

• Operate the research project Verify, catalogue and analyze rescue and fatality data for Alberta structure fires.
• Respond to you Reply to inquiries, fulfill requests, follow up on incident submissions and share relevant project updates if you ask us to.
• Produce research outputs Prepare aggregate reports, training material, academic publications and public advocacy using de-identified data.
• Safeguard the Site Detect, prevent and respond to fraud, abuse, security incidents and technical issues.
• Meet legal obligations Comply with applicable law, lawful requests from public authorities, and our own record-keeping duties.

We will not use your personal information for a new purpose that is materially different from the purposes described above without first obtaining your consent, unless permitted or required by law.

4. Consent

By submitting information to us, you consent to our collection, use and disclosure of that information as described in this Privacy Statement. Where the information is sensitive, or will be used in a way you would not reasonably expect, we will seek your express consent. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice; withdrawal of consent may limit our ability to provide certain information or responses to you.

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell, rent or trade personal information. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Research partners With named researchers, fire-service agencies or academic institutions working under a confidentiality arrangement aligned with this Privacy Statement. Whenever feasible, we share only de-identified or aggregate data.
• Service providers With third-party vendors that host the Site, send email on our behalf, store submissions (for example Google Forms / Google Sheets) or provide analytics, strictly to perform services for us and under obligations of confidentiality.
• Legal requirements When disclosure is required or permitted by law, court order, subpoena, or to protect the rights, property or safety of any person.
• With your consent In any other case where you have given us permission to share your information.

Some of our service providers may store or process data outside of Alberta or Canada. In those cases, the data may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is processed, including lawful access requests by foreign authorities. We take reasonable contractual and technical measures to protect it.

6. How We Protect Information

We use physical, technical and administrative safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information, including access controls, encrypted transport (HTTPS), least-privilege access for volunteers, and de-identification of incident data before public release. No system is perfectly secure; if we ever have reason to believe that your personal information has been compromised, we will notify you and the applicable regulator where required by law.

7. How Long We Keep Information

We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described above or as required by law. Research datasets may be retained indefinitely in de-identified or aggregate form for longitudinal analysis. Directly identifying information (e.g. email addresses) is deleted or anonymized when no longer needed.

8. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:

• Access Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct Ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Withdraw consent Withdraw your consent to our use or disclosure of your information (with the limitations noted in section 4).
• Complain File a complaint with us or with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (priv.gc.ca) or the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (oipc.ab.ca).

To exercise any of these rights, email us at the address in section 12. We may need to verify your identity before responding and will reply within a reasonable time, typically within 30 days.

9. Third-Party Links & Embeds

Our Site links to third-party platforms, including Google Forms, Google Sheets, and the social media accounts of our partners and sponsors. Those services operate under their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their practices and encourage you to review their policies before submitting personal information.

10. Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

11. Changes to This Statement

We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology or our practices. Material changes will be announced on the Site and the "Last updated" date above will be revised. Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect means you accept the revised statement.

12. Contact Us

Questions, requests or complaints about privacy can be sent to our Privacy Lead at our contact form. We take every privacy concern seriously and will acknowledge your message promptly.