Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Lamorinda Ready website (“Site”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Site. Lamorinda Ready reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Purpose of the Site

Lamorinda Ready provides educational content, community resources, and tools related to wildfire preparedness for homeowners in Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda, California. The Site is designed to help residents understand fire risk, learn about home hardening measures, and connect with community resources.

3. Data Accuracy and Limitations

The Site presents data, tools, and information derived from publicly available government and third-party sources, including but not limited to CAL FIRE, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). While we make reasonable efforts to present this information accurately, you should be aware of the following limitations:

3.1 Fire Hazard Zone Lookup Tool

Zone designations shown are based on CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps. This tool is for general informational purposes only and does not guarantee the accuracy of address geocoding, zone boundary matching, or the currency of the underlying map data. Zone designations may change over time as CAL FIRE updates its maps. Zone designation does not determine insurance eligibility or rates — insurers use their own risk models and underwriting criteria. Always verify your fire hazard zone designation directly with CAL FIRE, your local fire authority, or your insurance provider.

3.2 Fire Watch and Live Conditions

Fire danger ratings and weather conditions displayed on the Site are derived from publicly available data systems (NOAA, CAL FIRE) using the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) methodology. This information is not a substitute for official emergency alerts or warnings. Conditions may not reflect real-time changes, local microclimates, or emerging hazards. Do not rely on this information for evacuation, shelter, or other personal safety decisions. Always follow official guidance from CAL FIRE, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD), Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire), and local emergency services.

3.3 Insurance and Financial Information

Any information on the Site regarding insurance coverage, premiums, discounts, non-renewals, or carrier-specific programs is for educational and informational purposes only. Lamorinda Ready is not a licensed insurance agent, broker, or financial advisor. Insurance eligibility, discounts, coverage requirements, and premium rates vary significantly by carrier, policy type, location, and individual circumstances. Information regarding carrier discounts and programs is based on publicly available rate filings and market research and is subject to change without notice. Always consult with a licensed insurance professional for specific advice and binding quotes.

3.4 Home Hardening and Construction Guidance

Guides, checklists, and recommendations on the Site regarding home hardening, construction materials, defensible space, and related topics are for educational purposes only and do not constitute professional engineering, architectural, or contracting advice. Building codes, permit requirements, and material standards vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always consult with licensed professionals (contractors, engineers, arborists) and your local building department before undertaking construction or modification work.

4. No Professional Advice

Nothing on the Site constitutes legal, insurance, financial, engineering, architectural, or other professional advice. Content is provided for general educational purposes. You should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information from the Site without seeking appropriate professional counsel.

5. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and all content, tools, data, and services are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, and non-infringement. Lamorinda Ready does not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Lamorinda Ready, its operators, contributors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or reliance on the Site, its tools, data, content, or any linked third-party resources. This includes, without limitation, damages arising from inaccurate data, service interruptions, or decisions made based on information presented on the Site.

7. Third-Party Links and Services

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, services, and resources. These links are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsement. Lamorinda Ready is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of third-party sites.

8. Provider Directory

The Site may feature a directory of service providers related to home hardening, fire preparedness, insurance, and related fields. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of any provider's qualifications, licensing, work quality, or fitness for any purpose. Lamorinda Ready is not a party to any agreement or transaction between you and any provider. You are solely responsible for evaluating providers, verifying licenses (e.g., through the California Contractors State License Board), and negotiating terms. Any consent you provide through our provider matching system may be revoked at any time from your account dashboard.

9. User Accounts, Data, and Communications

Certain features of the Site may require account creation. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. Any personal information you provide is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By creating a Home Profile or using assessment tools, you consent to the storage and processing of the information you provide for the purpose of delivering personalized content and recommendations.

By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to receive periodic emails about wildfire preparedness, community updates, and related content. You may unsubscribe at any time via the link in each email or by contacting us. We will not share your email address with third parties for marketing purposes.

10. Intellectual Property

All original content on the Site — including text, graphics, design, and code — is the property of Lamorinda Ready unless otherwise noted. Government data (CAL FIRE, NOAA) is public domain. You may share and reference Site content for personal, non-commercial use with attribution.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lamorinda Ready, its operators, members, officers, contributors, and affiliates from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Site; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any rights of another party; or (d) any content you submit or transmit through the Site.

12. Dispute Resolution

Before initiating any formal legal proceeding, you agree to first contact us at lamorindaready@gmail.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days. If the dispute is not resolved informally, either party may proceed to binding arbitration administered by JAMS in Contra Costa County, California, under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules. You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis only and not as a class, consolidated, or representative action.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Site shall be resolved in the courts of Contra Costa County, California.

14. General Provisions

Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and Disclaimer, constitute the entire agreement between you and Lamorinda Ready regarding the Site.

Age Requirement. You must be at least 16 years of age to use this Site or provide personal information through it.

15. Contact

Questions about these Terms may be directed to: lamorindaready@gmail.com