Fire Department Partially Encrypted

Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department

Calhoun, Alabama

What you can do right now

Encryption Details

Encryption Type P25 AES-256
Scope Some talkgroups encrypted (50% per RadioReference data); others remain in the clear.
Technical Details P25 AES-256

Verified Talkgroup Data

Verified Mar 6, 2026 Moderate confidence
24 Total Talkgroups
12 Encrypted
12 Unencrypted
50% Encrypted
Radio System: Calhoun-Cherokee-Cleburne County, Alabama Interoperable Radio System (AIRS)
View 12 talkgroups
DEC Alpha Tag Description Status
11736 BROOMTOWN VFD Broomtown-Rinehart Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11737 MT WEISNER VFD Mount Weisner Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11738 TUCKRS CHAPL VFD Tuckers Chapel Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11739 MCCORDS VFD McCords Crossroads Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11740 CEDAR BLUFF VFD Cedar Bluff Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11741 SPRING GARDN VFD Spring Garden Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11742 CENTRE VFD Centre Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11743 GAYLESVILLE VFD Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11744 SAND ROCK VFD Sand Rock Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11745 SPRING CREEK VFD Spring Creek Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11746 ELLISVILLE VFD Ellisville Volunteer Fire Encrypted
11747 LEESBURG VFD Leesburg Volunteer Fire Encrypted

Verification Status

We do have per-talkgroup data for Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.

If you monitor Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.

Shared Radio System

Worth knowing before reading this as specific to Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department: Calhoun-Cherokee-Cleburne County / Alabama Interoperable Radio System (AIRS) is shared county-wide or regional infrastructure, also used by 5 other agencies in Calhoun County — one radio system, several agency pages.

Calhoun County Context

Calhoun County is a mixed picture: 7 of 19 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (37%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.

What This Means

This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

See encryption status nationwide Interactive map showing which US police departments have encrypted their radios. Open the encryption map →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department radio encrypted?

Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.

Can I listen to Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department on a police scanner?

Possibly. Our database lists Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.

Why do agencies like Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department encrypt their radio?

Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Calhoun County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor fire department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.

Can Calhoun County reverse the encryption decision?

Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.

What can I do about Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department encryption?

Start local: show up when Calhoun County officials discuss the budget for Gaylesville Volunteer Fire Department, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.

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