Godfrey Fire
Madison, Illinois
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference's STARCOM21 page lists three Godfrey Fire talkgroups in its Madison County municipal category, of which only one is encrypted — "8463 D Enc Godfrey Fire8463" — while "8461" and "8462" are listed mode "D", in the clear.
Encryption Details
Madison County Context
Madison County is a mixed picture: 1 of 7 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (14%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Madison County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
A defined subset of this agency's channels is encrypted. The rest of the system continues to operate in the clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Godfrey Fire radio encrypted?
Yes. Godfrey Fire uses P25 AES-256 encryption. A defined subset of this agency's channels is encrypted. The rest of the system continues to operate in the clear.
Can I listen to Godfrey Fire on a police scanner?
Partially. Godfrey Fire encrypts specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Godfrey Fire encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Madison County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Madison County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Godfrey 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 Godfrey Fire encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Godfrey Fire's radio budget: why full encryption rather than a delayed feed or tactical-only channels? File for the recordings and the decision documents alongside it, and link up with neighbours and local reporters in Madison County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.