Official Rules and Program Terms

1.Sponsor

The Program is sponsored by EaseAlert LLC, a Florida limited liability company, 12345 Starkey Rd, Suite A, Largo, FL 33773 (“EaseAlert,” “we” or “us”). Program email: heartsmart@easealert.com.

2.Definitions

• “Application” means a submission made through the application form at easealert.com/fire-station-of-the-year, together with any information provided later at EaseAlert's request.
• “Nominator” means the individual who submits an Application. A Nominator may be a member of the Department or any other eligible person.
• “Department” means the fire department put forward in an Application, together with the government body or organization that owns or operates it, such as a city, county, fire district, volunteer fire company, military installation or airport authority.
• “Station” means the single fire station building identified in an Application.
• “Authorized Official” means a person with legal authority to act for and bind the Department.
• “Committee” means the EaseAlert review committee described in Section 6.
• “Finalist” means a Department invited to the technical review in Round 2.
• “Selected Department” means the Department chosen under Section 6.
• “Award” means the discount described in Section 7.
• “Quote” means a written price quote issued by EaseAlert for EaseAlert products and services for the Station.
• “Purchase Agreement” means a written agreement between EaseAlert and the Selected Department for the purchase, installation and support of the system described in the Quote.
• “Balance” means any amount of the Quote that exceeds the Award, together with any cost the Award does not cover.

3.Program Period

(a)The application period begins when the Program is first published at easealert.com/fire-station-of-the-year and ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2027 (the “Application Period”). Applications received after the Application Period will not be considered. EaseAlert's records of the time an Application is received are final.

(b)After the Application Period, the Program proceeds in this order: scoring of all Applications (Round 1), technical review of Finalists (Round 2), choice of the Selected Department, and then the Purchase Agreement and installation. Any dates EaseAlert publishes for steps after the Application Period are estimates and may change.

(c)These Rules apply only to the 2027 Program. EaseAlert has no obligation to offer the Program, or any similar program, in any future year.

4.Eligibility

(a)Departments. The Program is open to career, combination, volunteer, military and airport fire departments that provide fire protection or emergency response from a fire station located in one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia.

(b)One Station. Each Application may put forward one Station, and only one Station will be selected for the 2027 Program. If EaseAlert receives more than one Application for the same Station, it may combine them or consider the most complete one.

(c)Nominators and Department consent. Any individual 18 years of age or older may submit an Application, including firefighters, officers, chiefs, dispatchers, civilian staff and members of the public. A Nominator does not need the Department's permission to apply. A Department may become a Finalist or the Selected Department only after an Authorized Official confirms, in the form EaseAlert requests, that the Department wishes to take part and agrees to these Rules.

(d)Conflicts of interest. Employees, officers, directors, members, contractors and agents of EaseAlert, and members of their immediate families and households, may not submit Applications. A Department that employs or includes one of these people remains eligible, but that person may not take part in preparing its Application. A Committee member with a personal or financial relationship with a Department will not score that Department.

(e)Departments already buying. A Department is not eligible if, at any time from the date the Program is first published through the choice of the Selected Department, it is in active discussions with EaseAlert about buying an EaseAlert system for any of its stations, or in a procurement process that includes EaseAlert products. This includes having an open quote or proposal from EaseAlert; a scheduled or ongoing demonstration, trial or pilot; an open bid, request for proposals or purchase order that includes EaseAlert products; or a signed agreement to buy an EaseAlert system that has not yet been installed. Communications about this Program, including the Round 2 technical review, do not count. EaseAlert's records determine whether a Department falls under this clause, and that determination is final.

(f)Verification. EaseAlert may verify eligibility at any time and may disqualify any Application or Department that does not meet these Rules.

5.How to Apply

(a)Complete and submit the online application form during the Application Period. There is no fee to apply, and no purchase is required.

(b)Applying does not obligate the Nominator or the Department to buy anything or to accept the Award.

(c)Each Nominator may submit one Application per Station. Applications generated by script, bot, bulk submission or any other automated means are void.

(d)EaseAlert may disqualify Applications that are incomplete, inaccurate, late or corrupted. EaseAlert is not responsible for Applications that are lost, late, misdirected, incomplete or not received for any reason, including technical failure. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt.

(e)EaseAlert may ask a Nominator or Department for more information. If the information is not provided within the time EaseAlert requests, the Application may be disqualified.

6.Selection Criteria and Process

(a)Committee. Applications are reviewed and scored by a committee of EaseAlert personnel, who may consult outside advisors. The Selected Department is chosen solely on the criteria in this Section. There is no random drawing and no element of chance.

(c)Round 1: Scoring. After the Application Period ends, the Committee will score every eligible Application and may invite one or more Departments to Round 2 as Finalists. The number of Finalists is at EaseAlert's sole discretion.

(d)Round 2: Technical review. EaseAlert will meet with each Finalist's point of contact to confirm that the Station would be a good fit. EaseAlert may request additional information and documents, a virtual or on-site walkthrough, and access to people such as the Department's CAD administrator, radio or communications technical contact, logistics lead and a station officer or battalion chief. Each Finalist is responsible for its own costs of taking part.

(e)Selection. After Round 2, the Committee will choose the Selected Department. EaseAlert may choose an alternate from the Finalists if the Selected Department is disqualified, declines or forfeits the Award. EaseAlert may decline to make any selection if no Application meets these Rules or the Program's requirements.

(f)Decisions are final. EaseAlert's decisions on eligibility, scoring, Finalists and selection are final, binding and not subject to appeal. EaseAlert is not required to disclose scores or explain any decision.

7.The Award

(a)What the Award is. The Selected Department will receive a one-time discount of up to $50,000 (U.S. dollars) off the total price in a Quote for an EaseAlert station alerting system for the Station. The Quote is expected to include hardware sized to the Station, installation, integration with the Department's CAD system where technically feasible, on-site training for each shift, and up to five years of service and support, as EaseAlert determines appropriate for the Station.

(b)Value. The maximum value of the Award is $50,000. If the Quote total is less than $50,000, the Award equals the Quote total, and the difference has no cash, credit or other value.

(c)The Quote. EaseAlert will prepare the Quote using the information gathered in Round 2 and EaseAlert's then-current pricing. EaseAlert determines the system design, equipment, quantities and scope in consultation with the Department. Changes requested by the Department may change the Quote.

(d)What the Award does not cover. Unless the Quote expressly includes them, the Award does not cover building, electrical or structural work; network, IT or cabling upgrades; fees or work by the Department's CAD, radio, dispatch or other third-party vendors; permits and inspections; taxes; anything outside the Quote; any products or services not offered by EaseAlert at the time of the Quote; or any service, support, software or licensing after the support term stated in the Quote.

(e)After the support term. Any service, support, software or licensing after the support term stated in the Quote is available only under a separate agreement at EaseAlert's then-current rates. EaseAlert will review the expected cost of continued service with the Department before the Purchase Agreement is signed.

(f)Balance. The Selected Department is responsible for paying any Balance under the Purchase Agreement. General statements that the Award typically covers most or all of a station's cost are estimates, not promises about any particular Station.

(g)Conditions. The Award applies only to the Station and the Quote. It has no cash value and may not be transferred, sold, assigned, exchanged for cash, applied to past purchases or other stations, or combined with any other EaseAlert discount, rebate or promotion unless EaseAlert agrees in writing. The Department may use its own funds or third-party grants to pay any Balance, subject to the terms of those grants. If any product or service becomes unavailable, EaseAlert may substitute one of equal or greater functionality.

(h)Taxes. Any taxes, fees or assessments related to the purchase are the Department's responsibility unless the Department is exempt.

8.Notification, Acceptance and Forfeiture

(a)EaseAlert will notify the Selected Department using the contact information in its Application or later provided to EaseAlert.

(b)Within ten (10) business days after notice, an Authorized Official must confirm in writing that the Department accepts the Award and agrees to these Rules, and must provide any documents EaseAlert reasonably requests to confirm eligibility and authority.

(c)The Selected Department must sign the Purchase Agreement within one hundred twenty (120) days after EaseAlert's notice, unless EaseAlert agrees in writing to a later date.

(d)The Award may be forfeited, and EaseAlert may choose an alternate or make no selection, if the Selected Department cannot be reached, does not respond or sign within the times above, is found ineligible, does not obtain a required approval, declines the Award or does not comply with these Rules.

(e)If the Purchase Agreement ends before the system is installed, the Award ends and has no further value.

9.Purchase Agreement, Installation and Operations

(a)The sale, delivery, installation, training, warranties, service and support of any system are governed only by the Purchase Agreement. Nothing in these Rules or in any Program material is a warranty or a promise about how any product will perform.

(b)Installation will be scheduled by mutual agreement and depends on the Department's approvals, site readiness, the cooperation of third-party vendors and product availability. EaseAlert is not responsible for delays caused by the Department, third parties or events outside EaseAlert's reasonable control.

(c)The Department remains responsible for its dispatch and emergency response operations at all times. This includes keeping backup alerting in place during installation and cutover, and confirming that the system meets its operational requirements before relying on it.

(d)If these Rules and the Purchase Agreement conflict about the sale or the system, the Purchase Agreement controls.

10.Government and Public Entities

(a)Many Departments are subject to procurement, gift, ethics, budget and approval rules. The Department alone is responsible for determining whether it may apply for, accept and use the Award, and for complying with those rules, including any required bidding, governing body approval, or sole-source or ethics determination.

(b)EaseAlert makes no representation that the Award or any purchase complies with any law or policy that applies to the Department. On request, EaseAlert will provide reasonable documentation within its control, such as the Quote and a letter describing the Award.

(c)The Award is a price reduction offered to the Department in connection with a purchase. It is not offered to, and may not be accepted by, any individual. No Nominator, employee, volunteer or official will receive anything of value from EaseAlert in connection with the Program.

(d)If law or policy prevents the Department from accepting the Award in the form described in these Rules, EaseAlert may offer the Award in another lawful form of equal or lesser value, or choose an alternate.

(e)If the Department is a federal, state, local, tribal or military entity that is legally unable to agree to a provision of these Rules, that provision applies to the Department only to the extent permitted by law.

11.Publicity

(a)Taking part in reasonable publicity is a condition of selection. By accepting the Award, the Selected Department agrees that EaseAlert may announce the selection; photograph, film and record the Station, the installation, training and related activities; and use those materials, along with the Department's name and the Station's name and location, in any media for advertising, promotion and other lawful purposes, without time limit and without further compensation, except where prohibited by law.

(b)The Selected Department grants EaseAlert permission to use its logo, patch or insignia in connection with the Program, to the extent the Department has authority to do so.

(c)No individual is required to appear in photos or video. EaseAlert will obtain a signed release from any individual who appears in a recognizable way. While filming, EaseAlert will follow the Department's reasonable safety, security and privacy requirements and will not record patient information.

(d)Where the law prohibits a government entity from endorsing a product, statements by Department personnel will not be presented as that entity's official endorsement.

(e)EaseAlert owns all photos, video and other content it creates in connection with the Program.

(f)EaseAlert will not publicly name any Department other than the Selected Department, and will not publish the content of any Application, without permission. EaseAlert may publish aggregate information about the Program, such as the number of Applications received.

(g)If a Department's law or policy prevents it from taking part in publicity as described in this Section, EaseAlert may choose an alternate.

12.Representations and Conduct

(a)By submitting an Application, the Nominator represents that the Nominator is 18 years of age or older; that the information in the Application is true, accurate and complete to the best of the Nominator's knowledge; and that the Nominator has the right to share the information submitted, including the contact details of any other person listed.

(b)EaseAlert may disqualify any Nominator or Department that provides false information, tampers with the Program or the application process, attempts to influence the Committee outside the process in these Rules, acts in a threatening, harassing or disruptive manner, or otherwise violates these Rules.

(c)Any attempt to damage the Program website or undermine the Program may violate criminal and civil laws. EaseAlert reserves the right to seek remedies and damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.

13.Privacy and Communications

(a)EaseAlert collects and uses information submitted in connection with the Program under its Privacy Policy at easealert.com/privacy-policy, to run the Program, verify eligibility and contact Nominators and Departments.

(b)By applying, the Nominator agrees that EaseAlert may contact the Nominator, and any person listed in the Application, by email about the Application and the Program. EaseAlert may also send the Nominator information about EaseAlert products and services. Anyone may opt out of marketing messages at any time.

(c)Applications and supporting materials will not be returned.

(d)If the Department is a public entity, its communications with EaseAlert may be subject to public records laws.

14.Confidential and Security Information

Do not include confidential, proprietary or security-sensitive information in an Application, such as network diagrams, passwords, radio encryption details or non-public infrastructure information. Except as stated in the Privacy Policy and Section 11(f), Applications are not treated as confidential. If Round 2 requires sensitive information, EaseAlert and the Finalist may agree on how it will be shared and protected before it is provided.

15.Release and Limitation of Liability

(a)Release. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Nominator, and each Department on behalf of itself and its officers, employees, members and volunteers, releases EaseAlert and its affiliates, and their respective owners, members, managers, officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, successors and assigns (the “Released Parties”), from all claims, losses, damages and liabilities of any kind arising out of or relating to the Program, including applying, scoring, selection or non-selection, the Award and publicity. This release does not apply to EaseAlert's obligations under a signed Purchase Agreement or to any claim that cannot be released under applicable law.

(b)NO WARRANTIES. THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE RELEASED PARTIES MAKE NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR THE AWARD. ANY PRODUCT WARRANTY IS PROVIDED ONLY IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

(c)LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE RELEASED PARTIES WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, FUNDING OR OPPORTUNITIES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PROGRAM. EXCEPT FOR OBLIGATIONS UNDER A SIGNED PURCHASE AGREEMENT, THE RELEASED PARTIES' TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PROGRAM WILL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100).

(d)Technical issues. The Released Parties are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, network or website failures; incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by users or by any equipment or programming; unauthorized intervention in the Program; or any damage to any person's computer or device related to taking part in the Program.

16.Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, each Nominator and Department will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any third-party claim arising out of its breach of these Rules, the content of its Application or its misconduct.

17.Changes, Cancellation and Errors

(a)EaseAlert may modify, suspend or cancel the Program, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, including fraud, technical problems, a lack of eligible Applications or any other cause beyond EaseAlert's reasonable control. If the Program is canceled, EaseAlert may choose from eligible Applications received before cancellation, or make no selection.

(b)EaseAlert may amend these Rules by posting updated Rules on the Program website. Changes take effect when posted. A change made after a Department is selected will not reduce that Department's Award unless required by law.

(c)EaseAlert is not responsible for typographical, printing or other errors in these Rules or in any Program material. If any Program material, including the Program web page, conflicts with these Rules, these Rules control.

(d)EaseAlert is not responsible for any failure or delay caused by events outside its reasonable control, including natural disasters, public emergencies, supply chain disruptions, labor disputes, epidemics and government action.

18.Governing Law and Disputes

(a)These Rules and the Program are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law rules.

(b)To the extent permitted by law, any dispute arising out of or relating to the Program or these Rules will be resolved individually, without any class, collective or representative action, exclusively in the state courts located in Pinellas County, Florida, or the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Each Nominator and Department consents to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts.

(c)TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH NOMINATOR, EACH DEPARTMENT AND EASEALERT WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY.

(d)To the extent permitted by law, no Nominator or Department may seek an injunction or other equitable relief that would stop or interfere with the Program, and any recovery is limited as stated in Section 15.

19.General Terms

(a)These Rules, the Privacy Policy and, for the Selected Department, the Purchase Agreement are the entire agreement about the Program.

(b)The Program is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

(c)Nothing in these Rules creates an agency, partnership, joint venture or employment relationship.

(d)EaseAlert's failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of that provision.

(e)If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions stay in full effect.

(f)EaseAlert may assign its rights and obligations under these Rules to an affiliate or successor.

(g)Headings are for convenience only. “Including” means “including without limitation.”

20.Announcement and Questions

EaseAlert will announce the Selected Department on its website after the Department accepts the Award. For the name of the Selected Department, or with questions about these Rules, email heartsmart@easealert.com.