Olive Branch Fire Department
Desoto, Mississippi
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 6 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52163 | 17-OB FD DISP | Olive Branch Fire - Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 52167 | 17-OB PD DISP | Olive Branch Police - Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 52164 | 17-OB FD FG 1 | Olive Branch Fire - Fireground 1 | Encrypted |
| 52165 | 17-OB FD FG 2 | Olive Branch Fire - Fireground 2 | Encrypted |
| 52170 | 17-OB PD TAC | Olive Branch Police - Tactical | Encrypted |
| 52166 | 17-OB FD ADMIN | Olive Branch Fire - Administration | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch 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
Olive Branch Fire Department isn't an outlier here: 7 of the 11 public-safety agencies we track in Desoto County are fully encrypted (64%), 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 as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Olive Branch Fire Department radio encrypted?
Olive Branch 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 as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Can I listen to Olive Branch Fire Department on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Olive Branch Fire Department 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 Olive Branch Fire Department encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Desoto County-specific evidence that open communications ever caused a problem, while the loss of public oversight and the friction with still-unencrypted neighboring agencies are both immediate and real.
Can Desoto County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Olive Branch Fire Department encryption?
Start local: show up when Desoto County officials discuss the budget for Olive Branch Fire Department, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.