New Orleans Fire Department
Orleans, Louisiana
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 7 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29656 | 36-REG-OEP1 | New Orleans Regional OEP 1 | Mixed |
| 29657 | 36-REG-OEP2 | New Orleans Regional OEP 2 | Mixed |
| 21583 | 23-NIPD DISP 1 | New Iberia Police Dispatch 1 | Encrypted |
| 8639 | IRS-NOLA GRP1 | Internal Revenue Service - New Orleans 1 | Encrypted |
| 8640 | IRS-NOLA GRP2 | Internal Revenue Service - New Orleans 2 | Encrypted |
| 8641 | IRS-NOLA GRP3 | Internal Revenue Service - New Orleans 3 | Encrypted |
| 8642 | IRS-NOLA GRP4 | Internal Revenue Service - New Orleans 4 | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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.
Orleans County Context
Orleans County is a mixed picture: 1 of 4 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (25%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Orleans County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a subset of this department's talkgroups as encrypted rather than the whole system. Verify the current per-channel status at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Orleans Fire Department radio encrypted?
Our database lists New Orleans Fire Department as using P25 ADP encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a subset of this department's talkgroups as encrypted rather than the whole system. Verify the current per-channel status at RadioReference.
Can I listen to New Orleans Fire Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists New Orleans Fire Department as encrypting specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like New Orleans Fire Department 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 Orleans County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. New Orleans Fire Department 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 New Orleans Fire Department encryption?
File a FOIA request for New Orleans Fire Department's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Orleans 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.