Privacy Policy

Advance Warning System Privacy Policy


Effective Date: January 24, 2018


Welcome to the Advance Warning System website ("AWS" or "Website"). This Website is owned by the City of New York operated by the New York City Emergency Management Department, as a service to the public. AWS is designed to alert organizations who work with people with disabilities and access and functional needs to various types of hazards and emergencies in New York City. Participating organizations who register with AWS will receive public preparedness and emergency information intended for use by individuals with disabilities or access and functional needs. Organizations should relay this emergency information to their clients and others who serve individuals with disabilities or access and functional needs.


The City of New York ("City," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of the information collected by our Website. The words "you" and "yours" refer to the users or subscribers of AWS. This Privacy Policy describes what information AWS collects, how we use that information, and who we will share that information with.


This Privacy Policy applies exclusively to our Website and does not apply to any other service or program operated by the City of New York. Nor does it apply to any third party website or service linked to AWS. Please review this Privacy Policy carefully. You agree to this Privacy Policy by registering with AWS. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, you should not register with AWS.


INFORMATION WE DON'T RECEIVE OR COLLECT

AWS does receive or collect the following information:


Credit card information

Banking account information

Social security numbers

Insurance information

Personal health information 


INFORMATION WE MAY RECEIVE OR COLLECT FROM YOU

In the course of using AWS, we may collect or receive the following types of information.


Personally Identifiable Information

Name

Phone number

Email


Organization Information

Employee names

Address

Email

Phone

Website

Social media (i.e., Twitter , Instagram, and Facebook)


Other Information

Services provided by Organizations (e.g., blind services, child services, developmental disabilities, home health care, elderly, deaf or hard of hearing)

Aggregate, non-identifying information about your clients, such as the geographic areas where Organizations provide services


Cookies

We use "cookies" on certain pages of our AWS website. Cookies are small files that are sent to your browser and is stored on your computer. Cookies gives us usage data, like how often you visit, where you go at the AWS website, and what you do. Cookies also allow you to enter your password less frequently during a session. You may modify your browser preferences to reject all cookies. Doing so will not inhibit your access to services provided by AWS.


HOW WE USE AND SHARE YOUR INFORMATION


Alerts & Notifications

AWS sends registered users alerts for both pre-season messaging and incident related messaging through emails, automated voice calls, and text messages. These alerts are sent directly to the contact information you provide.


Social Media Tab

Social media information collected by AWS allows us to provide you with the latest updates from New York City Emergency Management and other registered Organizations.


AWS Directory of Organizations

AWS provides a directory that allows people to connect with agencies and organizations that serve people with access and functional needs throughout New York City. We update this directory with the information we collect from you and other registered users. We also use the collected information to illustrate the location of organizations throughout the five boroughs on a "Map View." Please note, AWS gives you the ability to opt out and remove your organization from being publicly displayed on the directory and the map.


Third Party Platforms

We have engaged with third party vendors to assist us with certain functionalities and services. These vendors allow us to facilitate mass voice automated notifications of AWS alerts, as well as mass AWS notifications sent through text messaging (SMS) and email. These vendors have access to the information collected by AWS only as necessary to perform these functions and to the extent permitted by law.



Compelled Legal Disclosure

To the extent permitted by law, the City and its engaged vendors may disclose the collected information when required by law, court order, or other government or law enforcement authority or regulatory agency.


SECURITY

We have taken steps to protect the user information collected from you by AWS from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. The vendors that we have engaged to assist with the performance of AWS have signed contracts with the City in which they promise to take steps to protect all information collected or received by AWS. Please understand, however, that no security system is impenetrable. We cannot guarantee the security of our databases, nor can we guarantee that the information you supply will not be intercepted while being transmitted over the Internet.


CHILDREN

AWS is not directed toward children under 13 years of age nor does the City knowingly collect information from children under 13. If you are under 13 years of age, you are not permitted to submit any personally identifiable information to the City.


CHANGES TO PRIVACY POLICY

The City may change or update this Privacy Policy at any time. Registered users will be notified of any modification and will be given the opportunity to review such modification. You should therefore visit AWS website and review the Privacy Policy periodically to determine if any changes have been made. Your continued use of AWS after any changes have been made to the Privacy Policy signifies and confirms your acceptance of any such changes or amendments.



CONTACT

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact us by submitting a form that available on our Website. Submitting a form to AWS is entirely voluntary. Please note we only review submitted forms for questions about the Privacy Policy, and non-emergency technical support or technical feedback. You should not report emergency situations via this submission form. If you think you or someone else needs emergency assistance, please call 911 immediately.