Fairhaven Fire Department
DeSoto, Mississippi
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 1 talkgroup
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52218 | 17-FRHVN FD | Fairhaven Fire Department | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We don't yet have per-talkgroup data for Fairhaven Fire Department from the RadioReference API. The encryption scope and type above come from the RadioReference Wiki, which is community-maintained rather than independently confirmed channel-by-channel. Our automated matching put this at low confidence (50%) based on how closely the wiki listing matches this agency's name and county.
If you monitor Fairhaven 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.
DeSoto County Context
Fairhaven Fire Department isn't an outlier here: 11 of the 11 public-safety agencies we track in DeSoto County are fully encrypted (100%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in DeSoto County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency is listed in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairhaven Fire Department radio encrypted?
Fairhaven Fire Department is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed in our database as encrypting all of its radio communications, including routine dispatch. The listing is unverified — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database.
Can I listen to Fairhaven Fire Department on a police scanner?
Likely not, if the listing is accurate: our database lists Fairhaven Fire Department as fully encrypted using P25 AES-256, which no consumer scanner can decode. The listing is unverified — check the live RadioReference database for current status.
Why do agencies like Fairhaven Fire Department encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to DeSoto County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor fire department activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can DeSoto County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Fairhaven Fire Department can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.
What can I do about Fairhaven Fire Department encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Fairhaven Fire Department, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from DeSoto County with you.