McCords Volunteer Fire Department
Calhoun, Alabama
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
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 McCords 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 McCords 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.
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.
See every agency we track in Calhoun County → County encryption overview →
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McCords Volunteer Fire Department radio encrypted?
McCords 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 McCords Volunteer Fire Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists McCords 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 McCords 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 McCords Volunteer Fire Department encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for McCords Volunteer Fire Department, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from Calhoun County with you.