Hamtramck Fire
Wayne, Michigan
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists Hamtramck Fire dispatch (talkgroup 12614) on MPSCS as encrypted, alongside all four Hamtramck police talkgroups.
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
Wayne County Context
Hamtramck Fire isn't an outlier here: 12 of the 15 public-safety agencies we track in Wayne County are fully encrypted (80%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Wayne County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamtramck Fire radio encrypted?
Yes. Hamtramck Fire uses P25 ADP encryption. This agency encrypts all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The public, journalists, and even other first responders can't monitor its activity.
Can I listen to Hamtramck Fire on a police scanner?
No. Hamtramck Fire has fully encrypted their radio communications using P25 ADP. No consumer scanner can decode encrypted transmissions.
Why did Hamtramck Fire 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about Hamtramck Fire encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Hamtramck 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 Wayne County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.