MetroNet/North Cities Fire
Orange, California
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 4 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 2C MET-TAC | 2C MetroNet Tactical | Encrypted |
| 97 | 2D MET-TAC | 2D MetroNet Tactical | Encrypted |
| 227 | 2M NOR TAC | 2M MetroNet North Alternate Tactical | Encrypted |
| 229 | 2N NOR TAC | 2N MetroNet North Alternate Tactical | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for MetroNet/North Cities Fire 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 MetroNet/North Cities Fire 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.
Orange County Context
MetroNet/North Cities Fire isn't an outlier here: 18 of the 35 public-safety agencies we track in Orange County are fully encrypted (51%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Orange County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list every channel this agency runs as encrypted, including day-to-day dispatch. That listing hasn't been verified against live talkgroup data, so confirm it at RadioReference before relying on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MetroNet/North Cities Fire radio encrypted?
Our database lists MetroNet/North Cities Fire as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list every channel this agency runs as encrypted, including day-to-day dispatch. That listing hasn't been verified against live talkgroup data, so confirm it at RadioReference before relying on it.
Can I listen to MetroNet/North Cities Fire on a police scanner?
Likely not, if the listing is accurate: our database lists MetroNet/North Cities Fire as fully encrypted using P25 AES-256, which no consumer scanner can decode. The listing is unverified — check the live RadioReference database for current status.
Why do agencies like MetroNet/North Cities Fire encrypt their radio?
The standard justification nationwide is officer safety and operational security, regardless of whether a documented local incident ever required it. The tradeoff that follows is consistent too: public oversight drops, and reporters lose the ability to track fire department response as it happens.
Can Orange County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. MetroNet/North Cities Fire operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about MetroNet/North Cities Fire encryption?
File a FOIA request for MetroNet/North Cities Fire's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Orange County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.