TEMA WEB SITE PRIVACY & SECURITY POLICIES

When this site is accessed, used, or viewed, you agree to the terms and conditions that follow. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, you should immediately cease all actions pertaining to this site.

Security:
You are entering an Official State of Tennessee Government System, which may be used only for authorized purposes. The web sites for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) have been established in accordance with appropriate state and agency policies, which includes regular risk assessments and certifications. The Chief Information Officer of TEMA is the final authority on security requirements and controls for TEMA web sites. Every effort is made to ensure the quality, integrity, and utility of the information on this site while ensuring privacy and security. Only authorized personnel may alter web pages. Unauthorized use of this system may result in criminal, civil, and/or administrative penalties.
TEMA is committed to the security of the information that is either available from or collected by this web site. The State has taken multiple steps to safeguard the integrity of its telecommunications and computing infrastructure, including but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption.

Unauthorized Use
Unauthorized access is a violation of U.S. and Tennessee State Law and may result in criminal or administrative penalties. Users shall not access other users' files or system files without proper authority. Absence of access controls is not authorization for access.

TEMA information systems and related equipment are intended for communication, transmission, processing and storage of TEMA information. These systems and equipment are subject to monitoring, protecting against improper or unauthorized use or access, and verifying the presence or performance of applicable security features or procedures. Such security monitoring may result in the acquisition, recording and analysis of all data being communicated, transmitted, processed or stored in this system by a user. If security monitoring reveals evidence of possible criminal activity, such evidence may be provided to law enforcement personnel. Use of this system constitutes consent to such security monitoring.

Your Liability

If you cause a technical disruption of the site or the systems transmitting the site to you or others, you agree to be responsible for any and all civil and or criminal penalties, including but not limited to attorneys fees, actual and consequential damages arising from the disruption of the sites, all efforts taken to correct and restore the site, and to defend the rights of TEMA or the State of Tennessee.

Information You Submit
If you communicate with us via email or otherwise provide information to us through this site, all information you provide to us is on a non-confidential or non-proprietary basis, without restrictions of any kind whatsoever, and all information may be disclosed, distributed, modified, reproduced and used by us in any manner we choose, without paying compensation to you. For example, we may review it with any other governmental or non-governmental entity that we think might be helpful in our technical assessment.


TEMA Web Site Privacy Statement

The privacy, confidence, and trust of individuals who visit the TEMA web site are important to us. No personal information is collected at this site unless it is provided voluntarily by an individual while participating in an activity that asks for the information, except as otherwise provided in the above statements regarding site security. The following paragraphs disclose the information gathering and usage practices for the web site.

Collection of Information

TEMA only collects the personal information that is necessary to provide the information or services requested by an individual. "Personal information" refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual who is the subject of the information. This is the same information that an individual might provide when visiting a government office and includes such items as an individual's name, address, or phone number. We also collect statistical information that helps us understand how people are using the web site so we can continually improve our services. The information collected is not associated with any specific individual and no attempt is made to profile individuals who browse the web site. You may be asked to participate in surveys at this site. Participation is optional, and the choice to participate or not to participate will have no effect on your ability to use other features of the site.

Use of Information

TEMA uses the collected information to respond appropriately to requests. This may be to respond directly to you or to improve the web site. E-mail or other information requests sent to the agency web site may be maintained or forwarded to other, more appropriate agencies in order to respond to the request. Survey information is used for the purpose designated in the survey.

Retention of Information

Records needed to support TEMA program functions are retained, managed, and accessible in record-keeping or filing systems in accordance with established records disposition authorizations approved by the State's Public Records Commission. Records transmitted to this site will be identified, managed, protected, and retained as long as they are needed to meet historical, administrative, fiscal, or legal requirements.

Public Disclosure

Regardless of whether information is provided to TEMA by personal visit, mail, or web site, it becomes public record and is open to public inspection unless protected by State or Federal law. Public records are subject to the rules and requirements located in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 10 Chapter 7. A public record is defined as follows:

"Public record(s)" or "state record(s)" means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, electronic data processing files and output, films, sound recordings or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental agency. (T.C.A. 10-7-301 (6))

Based on the definition of public records, be aware that any information collected at this site could be made available to the public. Requests for public records will be examined for compliance with public record laws.

Cookies

Any web page or application at this site that uses cookies will identify itself as such. Cookies are short and simple text files that are stored on a user's computer hard drive by web sites. They are used to keep track of and store information so the user does not have to supply the information multiple times. The information that is collected through cookies at this site is handled in the same manner as other information collected here. You can configure your web browser to refuse cookies or to notify you when a web site attempts to send you a cookie. You can also check your hard drive for cookie files and delete them from your computer.


Accuracy, Completeness and Timeliness of Information on the Site

We are not responsible if information that we make available on this site is not accurate, complete or current. The materials on this site are provided for general information only, and any reliance upon the material found on this site will be at your own risk. We reserve the right to modify the contents of the site at any time, but we have no obligation to update any information on this site. You agree that it is your responsibility to monitor changes to the site.

Links to Other Sites
This web site has links to many other web sites. These include links to web sites operated by other government agencies, commercial or nonprofit organizations, and private businesses. TEMA is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these sites and suggests you review their privacy statements.

Contact Information
TEMA welcomes comments regarding this privacy statement. Please convey any questions or concerns to:

Tommy Hodge, Chief of Information Technology
(615) 532-8105  -  E-mail:
thodge@tnema.org