Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Texas Public Safety Training Academy (TPSTA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides Emergency Medical Services, Fire, and Security training. We respect the privacy of our students, applicants, partner agencies, donors, and website visitors. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, and the choices you have. Our data practices comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Texas Privacy and Security Act, and HIPAA where applicable.

2. Information We Collect

• Contact information: name, mailing address, email address, and phone number you provide when you apply, enroll, request information, or sign up for updates.
• Enrollment and eligibility information: date of birth, prior education and training, certifications, course progress, attendance, grades, and information needed to verify eligibility for programs, scholarships, or grant funding.
• Agency and employer contact details: when a fire department, EMS agency, employer, or workforce board sponsors your training, we collect the contact details needed to coordinate that sponsorship.
• Text message consent records: when you opt in to receive text messages from us, we keep a record of your consent, including the date and time you opted in and the form on which the consent was given.
• Donation information: donations are processed by a third-party payment provider. We receive donor contact details and donation amounts; we do not store card numbers on our systems.
• Website usage logs: IP address, device and browser information, pages viewed, and access times, used to secure our systems and improve the site.

3. How We Use Information

• Processing enrollments and sending enrollment confirmations
• Notifying you of schedule changes and sending course reminders
• Responding to program inquiries
• Coordinating rosters and seat assignments with sponsoring agencies
• Sending open enrollment announcements to people who asked to receive them
• Submitting required records to our approving and certifying bodies, including the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association (SFFMA), the Texas DPS Private Security Bureau, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Meeting our legal and recordkeeping duties

TPSTA does not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

4. Text Messaging Program and Mobile Information

TPSTA sends text messages only to people who have opted in — for example, enrollment confirmations, schedule changes, course reminders, and open enrollment announcements you asked for.

• Consent is never a condition of enrollment, admission, certification, tuition assistance, or donation. You can fully participate in every TPSTA program without opting in to text messages.
• Message frequency varies and will not exceed 8 messages per month.
• Message and data rates may apply.
• Reply STOP at any time to cancel. Reply HELP for assistance, or contact us at 737-881-8045 or admin@tpsta.org.
• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

For the terms that govern our text messaging program and use of this website, see our Terms of Service.

5. How We Share Information

We share personal information only with:

• Regulatory and certifying bodies (DSHS, TCFP, SFFMA, DPS Private Security Bureau, VA, NHA) as required for certification, licensure, and program approval
• Sponsoring agencies and employers that fund or sponsor your training, for roster, eligibility, and completion coordination
• Service providers under contract with TPSTA (such as our learning management, enrollment, payment, and message delivery providers), who may use the information only to provide services to us
• Legal requirements: when required by law, court order, or to protect life, safety, or property

We do not sell personal information, and we do not share personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

6. Student Records

Student education records are protected under FERPA. Students may access their records and request copies of training documentation. Disclosures beyond those described in this policy require written consent from the student or, where applicable, a parent or legal guardian. Records required by our approving bodies are submitted through secured channels and governed by formal agreements.

7. Retention and Security

• Training and certification records: five (5) years (state regulatory requirement)
• Security training records: two (2) years
• Payment and accounting records: seven (7) years (IRS and nonprofit compliance)

After these periods, data is securely deleted or destroyed. We protect information with encryption in transit and at rest, secure authentication, role-based access limited to authorized staff, access logging, and regular backups. Data incidents are handled under TPSTA’s incident response policy, including prompt notification to affected parties as required by law.

8. Your Choices

• Text messages: reply STOP to any message to opt out; reply START to resume.
• Email: use the unsubscribe link in any promotional email, or contact us to be removed.
• Access and correction: you may request access to your personal information and ask us to correct inaccurate information by writing to admin@tpsta.org.

9. Cookies and Analytics

The website uses cookies to maintain login sessions and measure site usage. Cookies do not collect sensitive information such as Social Security Numbers or payment data. For details and how to accept or decline analytics cookies, see our Cookie Notice.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website and text messaging program are not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it. TPSTA training programs are designed for adults; minors may participate only in specific programs with parental or guardian consent and appropriate FERPA protections.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or operations. Updates are posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of our website and services after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

Texas Public Safety Training Academy
298 Industrial Blvd
Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: 737-881-8045
Email: admin@tpsta.org

Legal Reference

This Privacy Policy is consistent with:

• Texas Business & Commerce Code §§ 521.001-.053 (Texas Privacy and Security Act)
• FERPA (20 U.S.C. §1232g)
• HIPAA (when applicable to limited health information for training/safety)