Colonie Fire/EMS
Albany, New York
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 5 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15002 | Colonie PD | Police Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 15203 | Col EMS Admn | EMS Admin | Mixed |
| 10607 | AlbCo EMS Tac | EMS Tac | Encrypted |
| 10926 | Bethlehem EMSTac | EMS Tac | Encrypted |
| 10966 | Guildrlnd EMSTac | EMS Tac | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Colonie Fire/EMS 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 Colonie Fire/EMS 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.
Albany County Context
Of the 18 public-safety agencies we track in Albany County, Colonie Fire/EMS is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in Albany County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency is listed as encrypting specific talkgroups or channels, with other communications possibly still audible. The listing is unverified — confirm at RadioReference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colonie Fire/EMS radio encrypted?
Colonie Fire/EMS 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 specific talkgroups or channels, with other communications possibly still audible. The listing is unverified — confirm at RadioReference.
Can I listen to Colonie Fire/EMS on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Colonie Fire/EMS as encrypting specific talkgroups rather than the whole system, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Colonie Fire/EMS encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Albany 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 Albany 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 Colonie Fire/EMS encryption?
Start local: show up when Albany County officials discuss the budget for Colonie Fire/EMS, 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.