Privacy Policy
Effective date: 4 May 2026
Kernow Software Ltd ("we", "us", or "our") operates the iFire, iCrew and iRescue mobile applications (the "App") and the web dashboard at ifire.ifireapp.net. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our services. By using the App you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
1. Information We Collect
Personal information
When you use the App, we may collect the following:
- Name (first and last name)
- Email address and phone number
- Station, crew and rank assignments configured by your service
- Availability status, responding status and contractual hours
- Resource markers you create (hydrants, defibrillators, site risk information) including any photos and notes you attach
- Chat messages you send within station or crew channels
Device information
We automatically collect certain information about your device when you use the App, including:
- Device model, manufacturer and operating system version
- A unique device identifier used to authenticate your device with the App
- App version and build number
- Device language and locale settings
Location information
With your permission, the App collects your device location to:
- Display nearby resources (hydrants, defibrillators, risk markers) on the map and calculate distance and bearing from your current position
- Indicate to your crew and control room when you are responding to an incident
You can disable location access for the App at any time in your device settings. Disabling it will limit the resource finder and responding-status features.
Camera and photo library
With your permission, the App may access your device camera and photo library so you can attach photos to resource markers, profile images, or station media. We only access these features when you explicitly choose to take or select a photo.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide the App's availability, alerting and incident-response functionality
- Send mobilisation and incident push notifications to your device
- Verify and authenticate your device and identify you within your station and crew
- Communicate with you about your account, the App or critical safety updates
- Diagnose and improve App performance and reliability
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
3. Third-Party Services
The App relies on the following third-party services that may process your information:
Firebase Cloud Messaging (Google)
Firebase Cloud Messaging delivers push notifications, including critical mobilisation alerts. Your device token is shared with Firebase to route notifications to your device. Google's privacy policy applies to data processed by Firebase: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Apple App Store / Google Play
If you have purchased a subscription via Apple or Google's in-app purchase systems, those platforms process your payment and provide us a receipt for verification. We never see your card details. Their respective privacy policies apply: Apple · Google.
Amazon Web Services
Our application servers and database are hosted on AWS in the UK and EU. AWS acts as a data processor on our behalf. Their privacy notice is available at https://aws.amazon.com/privacy/.
4. Data Storage and Security
Your information is transmitted over HTTPS. Authentication data such as device identifiers is stored using encrypted storage on your device (iOS Keychain and Android Keystore). On our servers, data is stored in encrypted databases with restricted access. We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure or destruction.
No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the App's services. If you wish to request deletion of your data, please contact us using the details below. We will delete or anonymise your data within a reasonable timeframe, unless we are required to retain it by law.
6. Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
- Within your service: Availability status, responding status, and crew profile information are visible to other authorised users within your fire service / station, as configured by your service administrators. This is core to how the App works.
- Service providers: With trusted third-party service providers (Firebase, AWS, Apple, Google) who assist in operating the App, subject to their own privacy policies.
- Legal requirements: When required by law, regulation, or legal process.
- Protection: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Kernow Software Ltd, our users, or others.
7. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR and equivalent regulations, depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data.
- Objection: Object to certain types of processing of your personal data.
- Portability: Request transfer of your data in a machine-readable format.
- Withdraw consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the email address listed below.
8. Children's Privacy
The App is not intended for use by children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.
9. Permissions
The App may request the following device permissions:
- Internet: Required for communicating with our servers.
- Location: Used by the resource finder and responding-status features. You can disable it in device settings.
- Camera and photo library: Used when you attach a photo to a resource marker or your profile.
- Push notifications: Used to deliver mobilisation alerts, incident updates, and crew messages. Critical alerts may override silent mode and Do Not Disturb on your device — this is intentional and core to the App's safety function. You can disable notifications at any time in your device settings.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective date" at the top. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of those changes.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Kernow Software Ltd
128 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX
Email: hello@ifireapp.org
Website: https://ifire.ifireapp.net