Cambridge Fire
Middlesex, Massachusetts
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 8 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1105 | Camb Fire Tech 1 | Cambridge Fire - Technical Services 1 | Encrypted |
| 1053 | Camb FD-F2 | Cambridge Fire - Citywide | Mixed |
| 1059 | Camb FD-F5 | Cambridge Fire EMS System | Mixed |
| 1067 | Camb FD Inv | Cambridge Fire Investigations | Encrypted |
| 1107 | Camb Fire Tech 2 | Cambridge Fire - Technical Services 2 | Encrypted |
| 1327 | Camb FD Alrt | Cambridge Fire - Station Alerting | Encrypted |
| 1075 | Camb FD Trng | Cambridge Fire Training | Mixed |
| 1065 | Camb FD-F8 | Cambridge Fire - Administration | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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.
Middlesex County Context
Middlesex County is a mixed picture: 1 of 6 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (17%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Middlesex County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge Fire radio encrypted?
Our database lists Cambridge Fire as using P25 AES-256 encryption, though this listing is unverified. Our records list a mix here: some talkgroups encrypted, others not. The listing is unverified, so confirm what is audible at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Cambridge Fire on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Cambridge Fire 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 Cambridge 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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex County reverse the encryption decision?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by Middlesex County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Cambridge Fire encryption?
File a FOIA request for Cambridge 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 Middlesex 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.