San Francisco Fire
San Francisco, California
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 4 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1413 | SFGH | San Francisco General Hospital | Encrypted |
| 1414 | SFGH BASE | San Francisco General Hospital - Base | Encrypted |
| 1420 | VA | San Francisco VA Medical Center | Encrypted |
| 783 | VA White | Valley White - Stockton (62) / Tracy (103) / Amador (94) / San Andreas (49) | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We don't yet have per-talkgroup data for San Francisco Fire from the RadioReference API. The encryption scope and type above come from the RadioReference Wiki, which is community-maintained rather than independently confirmed channel-by-channel. Our automated matching put this at moderate confidence (70%) based on how closely the wiki listing matches this agency's name and county.
If you monitor San Francisco 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.
San Francisco County Context
San Francisco Fire isn't an outlier here: 2 of the 2 public-safety agencies we track in San Francisco County are fully encrypted (100%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in San Francisco County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency is listed in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco Fire radio encrypted?
San Francisco Fire 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 in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.
Can I listen to San Francisco Fire on a police scanner?
Likely not, if the listing is accurate: our database lists San Francisco 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 San Francisco Fire encrypt their radio?
Ask why, and the answer is usually officer safety, sometimes operational security. What is harder to obtain is any documented case in San Francisco County where an open channel caused harm. The costs need no such documentation: reporting on fire department response slows down, and mutual-aid coordination gets more awkward, immediately.
Can San Francisco County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for San Francisco Fire can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.
What can I do about San Francisco Fire encryption?
Start local: show up when San Francisco County officials discuss the budget for San Francisco Fire, 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.