This page was created to share information and enhance the Department's relationship with the community. Opinions expressed by visitors to the page do not reflect the opinions of the Visalia Fire Department. For non-emergencies, dial 713-4266
The Visalia Fire Department encourages discussions and comments on posts. Be advised that all comments are monitored, and the Visalia Fire Department reser
ves the right to remove any comments and/or block anyone who posts inappropriate or offensive material, including comments that contain profanity, obscenity, or vulgarity. All links posted as comments and posts will be reviewed and may be deleted. Users warrant that they own or have permission to post information contained in their postings including, but not limited to, video, photos, or digital reproductions and that no copyright or trademark infringement has taken place due to posting on this site. Additionally, the Visalia Fire Department does not guarantee or warrant that any information posted by users on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from any reliance on such information. Users do not retain any rights over their postings. Postings are intended for public view, and any personal information posted constitutes a waiver of any rights to privacy and confidentiality. Members of the public should be aware that information shared through this site may be subject to release to those who request it through the Freedom of Information Act. Please note that communications made through social media channels, such as the Visalia Fire Department “Facebook” page, will not constitute legal or official notice or comment to the agency or any official or employee therein for any purpose. ALL INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW. This policy may be updated or amended at any time. SOCIAL MEDIA TERMS OF SERVICES:
Social Media Policy
By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the Visalia Fire Department, you participate by your own choice,taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information you provide therein. You further agree to the following terms of use:
The Visalia Fire Department maintains a social media program for the purpose of engaging and interacting with our community, providing relevant and timely community news, information and events, distribution of crime prevention and public safety tips, for urgent notifications of critical incidents that may affect residents, business owners and visitors of the city of Visalia, and for those people having an interest in the Visalia Fire Department. Not a Public Forum
Social media platforms used by the Visalia Fire Department are not public forums. The department welcomes a person’s right to express his/her/their opinion and encourages posters to keep comments relevant to the topic in question. Posting of any content on any social media platform used by the Visalia Fire Department, by any visitor, follower, subscriber or fan, constitutes acceptance of the terms of use described here in this policy. For purposes of this policy, a social media platform is the website or app offered to the public to provide audio, video, still-photo or written communication between other members of the public and/or representatives of certain groups, businesses, organizations or departments. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, Flipboard, Medium, website blogs with commenting capabilities, forums and emergency notification services. The definition of “content” as used in this policy refers to any written copy, photos, graphics, videos, live-video streams, comments or any form of communicative content exchanged between parties. Emergency or Non-Emergency Requests for Fire Assistance
The posting of requests for fire assistance, regardless of its emergency or non-emergency nature, is discouraged and does not guarantee a response by the Visalia Fire Department or any emergency service provider. In case of an emergency, or if Fire assistance is needed, please dial 911. If you wish to report a fire or information, please call (559) 713-4266. In the event you post information related to a fire related crime, you may be placing yourself in a position of becoming a witness and subject to being subpoenaed into court. Endorsements
“Friending” or “Liking” the Visalia Fire Department, or a firefighter or employee of the Visalia Fire Department, does not indicate an endorsement of that person’s actions or comments. A comment posted by a member of the public on any Visalia Fire Department social media site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Visalia Fire Department, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Visalia Fire Department. Moderation of Content
The Visalia Fire Department ‘s social media platforms are intended to be “family friendly.” When applicable, the department uses platform-provided content moderation/filtering options to limit foul or obscene content. The Visalia Fire Department does actively monitor the social media platforms used by the department
and will remove inappropriate content as defined below, without prior notice, and as soon as possible. The department shall reserve the right to remove and/or block anyone who posts inappropriate material as determined by the department. This material may include, but is not limited to:
1. Comments not related to the original topic, including random or unintelligible comments;
2. Profane, obscene, or pornographic content and/or language;
3. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, s*x, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression,
s*xual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, age, medical condition, genetic information, citizenship,
primary language, immigration status, or other classifications protected by state or federal law;
4. Defamatory or personal attacks;
5. Threats to any person or organization;
6. Comments in support of, or in opposition to, any political campaigns or ballot measures;
7. Solicitation of commerce, including but not limited to advertising of any business or product for sale;
8. Conduct in violation of any federal, state or local law;
9. Encouragement of illegal activity;
10. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
11. Content that violates a legal ownership interest, such as a copyright, of any party;
12. Harassment or content that constitutes and/or facilitates stalking;
13. Content that violates the right to privacy;
14. Encouragement of violence;
15. Comments that may reasonably interfere with, inhibit, or compromise law enforcement investigations, police tactics, police responses to incidents and/or the
safety of police staff and officers;
17. Posts or comments that contain any external links;
18. Personally identifiable medical information. The department does not allow posting of photos or videos by anyone other than members of the department. Denial of Access
The Visalia Fire Department reserves the right to deny access to any Visalia Fire Department social media sites for any individualwho violates the Visalia Fire Department ’s Social Media Terms of Use, at any time and without prior notice. FACEBOOK’S COMMUNITY OF STANDARDS
·All comments posted to any Visalia Fire Department Facebook site are bound by Facebook’s Community Standards, located at
http://www.facebook.com/communitystandards, and the Visalia Fire Department reserves the right to report any violation of Facebook’s Community Standards to Facebook with the intent of Facebook taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action. THE TWITTER RULES
·When applicable, the Visalia Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Twitter Rules, located at https://support.twitter.com/articles/18311 with the intent of Twitter taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action. INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
When applicable, the Visalia Fire Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Instagram Community Guidelines, located at https://help.instagram.com/477434105621119/ with the intent of Instagram taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action. Medium Rules
When applicable, the Visalia Fire Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Medium Rules, located athttps://policy.medium.com/medium-rules-30e5502c4eb4 with the intent of Medium taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action. Questions
Should you have any questions in regard to items contained herein this Terms of Use, please contact the Visalia Fire
Department social media manager at (559) 713-4370.
