Fitchburg Fire
Worcester, Massachusetts
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Fitchburg Fire's 470.550 MHz dispatch frequency twice — once as encrypted P25 (P25E) and once as unencrypted analog (FMN) — while the department's 472.725 MHz fireground channel remains analog and in the clear.
Encryption Details
Worcester County Context
Worcester County is a mixed picture: 2 of 4 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (50%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Worcester County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fitchburg Fire radio encrypted?
Yes. Fitchburg Fire uses P25 DES-OFB encryption. This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Can I listen to Fitchburg Fire on a police scanner?
Partially. Fitchburg Fire encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Fitchburg Fire encrypt their radio?
Agencies cite officer safety and operational security. Those are assertions rather than findings — no local evidence is typically produced — while the effects are concrete and land straight away on anyone who relied on hearing Fitchburg Fire to know what was happening nearby.
Can Worcester 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 Worcester County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Fitchburg Fire encryption?
File a FOIA request for Fitchburg 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 Worcester 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.