Acceptable Use of the Internet for
Eastampton Fire-Rescue Department Members,
Eastampton Fire District No. 1 Employees
and Other Users

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Purpose

To establish the overall policy for the use of the Internet by Fire District and other users.

This policy applies to all fire department members, fire district employees and other district computer system users (Users) whether authorized or unauthorized who access and use the Internet and encompasses all decisions and activities affecting or affected by access or use of the Internet by Users whether authorized or unauthorized. The policies set forth in this document are limited and qualified by the Federal Wire Tap Act, 18 U.S.C. §2710 et seq, and the New Jersey Wiretap Act, N.J.S.A 2A:156A-1 et seq.

As used in this policy, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the following words shall have the meaning indicated:

"Access" means the ability to receive, use, and manipulate data and operate controls included in information technology.

A "cache" (pronounced CASH) is a place to store something more or less temporarily. Web pages which employees request are stored in the browser's cache directory.

A "cookie" is a special text file that a web site puts on the user's hard disk so that it can remember something about the user at a later time. Typically, a cookie records the user's preferences when using a particular site.

"Fire Department" means the Eastampton Fire-Rescue Department.

"Fire District" means the Eastampton Fire District No. 1.

"Information infrastructure" means telecommunications, cable, and computer networks and the Internet, including the World Wide Web, E-mail, File Transfer Protocol, Usenet, bulletin board systems, on-line systems, and telephone networks.

"Instant messaging" is a type of communications service that enables a user to create a private chat room with another individual. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts a user whenever somebody on the user's private list is online. A user can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual. This type of communication constantly searches the Internet looking for persons on the private list. Instant messaging requires larger amounts of network resources (bandwidth).

"Information technology" means all electronic information processing hardware and software, including telecommunications.

The "Internet" is a worldwide system of interconnected computer networks in which users at any one computer can obtain and exchange information with any other computer.

"Path Records" are the combination of history, cache, cookie, e-mail header files that record the Internet pages visited.

"Sexually explicit content" means content having as a dominant theme (i) any lascivious description of or (ii) any lascivious picture, photograph, drawing, motion picture film, digital image or similar visual representation depicting a lewd exhibition of nudity, sexual excitement, or sexual conduct.

"Fire District-provided" means access to the Internet via computer system networks owned, leased or operated by the Fire District. Use of these services may be subject to monitoring for security or network management reasons.

"Streaming media" is streaming video with sound. With media streaming, a web user does not have to wait to download a large file before seeing the video or hearing the sound. Instead the media is sent in a continuous stream and is played as it arrives. Streaming media requires larger amounts of network resources (bandwidth).

"Streaming video" is a sequence of "moving images" that are sent in compressed form over the Internet and displayed by the viewer as they arrive. An example of a streaming video is a stock market ticker. With streaming video, a web user does not have to wait to download a large file before seeing the video. Instead the video is sent in a continuous stream and is played as it arrives. Streaming video requires larger amounts of network resources (bandwidth).

"Telecommunications" means the transmission of information, images, pictures, voice or data by radio, video, or other electronic or impulse means.

"Users" means all fire department members, fire district employees and other district computer system users whether authorized or unauthorized who access and use the Internet Fire District information technology.

The Internet can provide the Fire District with critical business advantages as a source of research and technical information, improved communication, public access and visibility, business and recruiting contacts and electronic commerce. It is, therefore, in the Fire District’s best interest to encourage prudent use of the Internet for Fire District business purposes. The Internet presents employees with opportunities for easy, rapid and efficient global communications and research but also creates certain risks, including security risks and legal liability. In order for the Fire District to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with use of the Internet, this statement sets policy for Internet access and use by all users whether authorized or unauthorized.

Users are given Fire District-provided access to the Internet to assist them in the performance of their duties. The Fire District may monitor Internet activity and therefore Users should have no expectation of privacy. All records created by Internet use, including path records, are property of the Fire District and are subject to monitoring. Users are expected to conduct their electronic communications in a professional, responsible and courteous manner. Misuse of the Fire District's information infrastructure, information technology and electronic communications media, including, but not limited to, the unauthorized transmission of confidential or proprietary information; the use of profane, harassing or other offensive language; or other inappropriate uses, including, but, not limited to, those listed below, may subject the user to discipline, including termination of employment or membership, initiation of civil action, or criminal prosecution.

The ability to access the Internet using Fire District-provided software, hardware, information infrastructure, information technology and other facilities is governed by several existing Fire District policies summarized below. In addition, the following Internet-specific policies must be followed to maintain a secure and harassment free work environment.

No Privacy Expectations

The only persons who may access the Internet through the Fire District information infrastructure or information technology are authorized Fire Department members, Fire District employees and such other persons as the Fire District may specifically authorize. The Fire District reserves the right to access and disclose, for any purpose, the contents of any Internet messages sent to and from the Fire District's computer equipment, information infrastructure or information technology including e-mail, attachments to e-mail, and World Wide browsing. All Users, including Fire District employees, using the Internet waive any right to privacy in such messages, and consent to their being accessed and disclosed by Fire District personnel. Users of the computers and computer network of the Fire District specifically authorize the Fire District to monitor, intercept, read, copy, or capture in any manner any information placed on this computer or computer system. The Fire District may disclose or use any information monitored, intercepted, read, copied or captured to authorized personnel or law enforcement to be used for disciplinary or civil action or criminal prosecution.

Nothing in this policy shall be taken to waive, relinquish or abrogate any privilege or confidentiality recognized by law or to authorize disclosure of any privileged, confidential or proprietary information except as provided by law.

Fire District System Security

All Users shall ensure that their use of the Internet does not compromise the security and integrity of Fire District's information infrastructure or information technology, networks and computer equipment, whether by allowing intruders into the networks or by introducing viruses or other threats.

Users shall not use another User's computer to gain access to the Internet without that User's consent or supervisory approval. A User shall not permit a non-Fire Department member to access the Internet using a Fire District computer, except as provided by Fire Department or Fire District policy.

Acceptable Use: Permitted Purposes

Users are given access to the Internet through the Fire District information infrastructure and information technology to carry out Fire District business. All Fire District policies, including but not limited to the Fire District's policies prohibiting harassment, work-place violence and sexual harassment, the Conflict of Interest Law and the Township's code of ethics, apply to a User's access or use of Fire District information infrastructure and technology. Users must comply with all state and federal laws and regulations applicable to the Internet.

Software for browsing the Internet is provided to Users for Fire District-related business use only. As with the telephone, limited incidental personal use that does not interfere with work duties, that does not consume significant Fire District resources, that does not constitute a use prohibited by this policy and that does not interfere with the activities of others may be permitted. Personal use of Fire District equipment shall not amount to more than de minimis, occasional use. More than limited incidental personal use may subject a User to discipline or removal of Internet access. Incidental personal use of the Internet is subject to monitoring or interception like any other Internet use.

Examples of Impermissible Uses

The following are examples of impermissible uses of the Fire District information infrastructure or information technology systems. This list is by way of example and is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. A User may not:

1.	Violate or infringe on a recognized privilege or the right to privacy;
2.	Transmit defamatory, false, inaccurate, abusive, profane, threatening, racially offensive, or otherwise biased, discriminatory or illegal material;
3.	Violate agency or departmental regulations or policies prohibiting harassment, workplace violence or sexual harassment;
4.	Violate any local, state, or federal law;
5.	Conduct personal, for profit business activity;
6.	Solicit for religious, political, charitable or other causes;
7.	Conduct any non-governmental related fund raising or public relations activities;
8.	Gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to any computer, computer records, data, databases or electronically stored information;
9.	Violate trademark or copyright laws;
10.	Knowingly cause the transmission of a program, information, code or command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally causes damage to a computer;
11.	Play games on the Internet;
12.	Engage in instant messaging, streaming media or streaming video for non-work related purposes.

No User shall utilize Fire District owned or leased information infrastructure or information technology to access, download, print or store any information infrastructure files or services having sexually explicit content. Users shall not use a password or transmit encrypted data through the Fire District Internet system unless they make the password, key or other means of decrypting the transmittal available to their supervisor.

Monitoring of Site Access and System Use

The Fire District reserves the right to monitor site access by users and to review data downloaded from the Internet. The Fire District may also monitor access to the Fire District information infrastructure and information technology system (including successful and failed login attempts and logouts), inbound and outbound file transfers, and sent and received e-mail messages. The Fire District may monitor, intercept, read, copy, or capture in any manner any information placed on its computers or computer systems. The Fire District may disclose or use any information monitored, intercepted, read, copied, or captured to authorized personnel or law enforcement in any disciplinary or civil action or criminal prosecution.

Software

The Board of Fire Commissioners must approve all software used to access the Internet.

Virus Scanning

All files downloaded must be scanned for viruses, using virus detection software approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners.

Representing the Fire District

Users must exercise the same care in posting information to the Internet as they would with any external communication by the Fire Department or Fire District.

Proprietary and Confidential Information

Users shall maintain all proprietary and confidential information in confidence and shall not use the Internet or the Fire District information infrastructure or technology to access, disclose or distribute such information in an unauthorized manner or attempt to do so.

Copyright

Users should not violate any of the copyright laws when accessing printing or disseminating materials found on the Internet.

Consent

Access or use of Fire District-furnished computers or Internet facilities constitutes consent to this policy on Acceptable Use of the Internet.

Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended

Communications Decency Act of 1996

N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et. seq.

N.J.S.A. 11A:1-1 et. seq.

N.J.A.C. 4A:7-1.3

Governmental Code of Ethics/New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law

Executive Order 49 (Issued April 17, 1996)

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