Privacy Policy

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South Carolina Emergency Management Division

SCEMD.ORG, Hurricane.sc, Earthquake.sc PRIVACY STATEMENT

OVERVIEW

This privacy statement addresses the collection, security, and disclosure of information that is obtained during your use of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) websites. The privacy of website visitors is important to SCEMD.

Information provided by visitors to these websites may be subject to disclosure as required by State or federal law or as otherwise described in this privacy statement.

Whenever information is voluntarily disclosed online, it may be accessible to others. Responsibility for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords and account information rests solely with the account holder. Caution and careful practices are advised when using online services.

 

CHANGES TO THIS STATEMENT

SCEMD may change this privacy statement periodically. Any change will be posted on scemd.org.  Continued use of the websites following the posting of updates constitutes acceptance of the privacy statement as revised.

INFORMATION COLLECTED AND STORED AUTOMATICALLY

When visiting SCEMD websites, certain information about the visit may be automatically gathered and stored to monitor website usage and support improvements. This information is stored and used in the aggregate only and is not used to contact individuals personally.

 

  1. When using these websites to read or download information, the following information may be collected and stored for statistical purposes:
    • The IP address used to access website.
    • The name of the domain from which the Internet is accessed.
    • The type of browser and operating system used.
    • The date and time of access.
    • The pages, files, documents, and links visited.
    • The website URL that referred the visitor to these websites (the address of the previous website visited).
  1. If you are using this site to send us an email: By sending us an electronic mail message, you may be sending us personal information (e.g., name, physical address, email address). One example of this would be an official Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. We may store the name and addresses of the requester in order to respond to the request or to otherwise resolve the subject matter of your email.
  2. When using scemd.org to register for subscription-based emergency alerts, visitors requesting specific information may be asked to complete a registration form. Additional information collected through questionnaires, feedback forms, or other methods may be used to understand visitor interests and improve the services provided.

COOKIES
In addition to automatically collected information, cookies are used to support internal functionality of the websites. Cookies, which are small pieces of data sent to a browser by a website, are stored on the computer and used to track usage patterns, traffic trends, and customer behavior, as well as to record other information from a website. When you register on this website, cookies also allow us to save information so that you will not have to re-enter it the next time you visit. Many content adjustments and customer service improvements are made based on the data derived from cookies. Data collected from cookies will not be used to create profiles of individual users and only will be used in aggregate form. SCEMD may use cookies to store information on a visitor’s computer.

DATA PRIVACY             
SCEMD will endeavor to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information provided.  However, in the course of performing official duties, SCEMD employees may have access to or view the information submitted.

SCEMD is a division of a public agency, information collected on this site may be subject to disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA includes various exemptions, that permit public bodies to withhold from disclosure certain types of information of a personal nature in order to preserve the privacy of individuals.

DATA SECURITY
Data maintained in the SCEMD systems will be protected using the security protocols established by the Division of Information Security (DIS). The Division of Information Security’s policies and procedures may be viewed at https://admin.sc.gov/services/technology-services/governance-resources.

DATA SHARING            
The Family Privacy Protection Act of 2002: This Act prohibits persons or private entities from using any personal information obtained from a state agency for commercial solicitation purposes. A person knowingly violating this prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties specified in South Carolina Code of Laws Section 30-2-50(D).

CHILDREN’S ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT

 

Children under the age of 13 are not eligible to use services that require submission of personal information and should not submit any personal information to SCEMD. This includes submitting personal information to the website as part of a user profile or personalization profile. Children under the age of 13 can use these services only if used together with your parents or guardians. Children under the age of 13 should seek guidance from parents or guardians prior to using this website.

 

If SCEMD decides to begin collecting personal information from children under the age of 13, SCEMD will notify parents that it is being requested, disclose the reasons for collecting it, and disclose SCEMD’s intended use of it. SCEMD will seek verifiable parental consent before collecting any personally identifiable information. If SCEMD does collect such information, parents may request information on the type of data being collected, view their child's information, and, if they choose, prohibit SCEMD from making further use of their child's information. SCEMD will not provide personal information about children to third parties.

DATA YOU PROVIDE TO US

Data stored in SCEMD systems may be accessed by certain SCEMD employees as part of their official job duties and may be subject to disclosure by rule, regulation, or law. For example, disclosure may be required by law without consent or notice to comply with a valid legal process, such as a subpoena, court order, or search warrant.

LINKS TO OTHER SITES

SCEMD’s websites links to other government sites and, occasionally, to private organizations. Once a visitor leaves the SCEMD website, the privacy policy of the external sites apply. SCEMD is not responsible for the contents of any off-site web page, and a link to a page does not constitute an endorsement. Questions about this privacy statement may be directed to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at (WebAlert@emd.sc.gov).