Encrypted EMS Agencies
75 ems agencies across the United States are documented as encrypting their radio communications, blocking public access to critical safety information. Our database holds 80 records of this type; the rest are ones our own checks found in the clear.
About EMS Agencies
Emergency Medical Services agencies providing ambulance and paramedic services.
Impact of Encryption
EMS encryption is often justified by patient privacy concerns (HIPAA), but many agencies encrypt all traffic including dispatches and logistics that contain no patient information.
Affected Stakeholders
- Hospitals
- Funeral homes
- Media covering major incidents
- Public health officials
States with Most Encrypted EMS Agencies
All Encrypted EMS Agencies
Browse all 80 ems agencies records. Open an agency for its verification status; records our checks found in the clear say so on their own page.
| Agency | State | County | Encryption | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Medical Response | CA | San Bernardino | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Orange County Emergency Medical Services | CA | Orange | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services | CA | Santa Clara | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Protective Services | CA | Santa Clara | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Berks County EMS | PA | Berks | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Cumberland County EMS | PA | Cumberland | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Dauphin County EMS | PA | Dauphin | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Epharta EMS | PA | Lancaster | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Halifax EMS | PA | Dauphin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Lancaster EMS | PA | Lancaster | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Life Lion EMS | PA | Dauphin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Life Team EMS | PA | Dauphin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Millersburg EMS | PA | Dauphin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Susquehanna EMS | PA | Dauphin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Tamaqua EMS | PA | Schuylkill | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Williamstown EMS | PA | Dauphin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| American Medical Response | MI | Kent Allegan Ottawa | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Hatzalah EMS | MI | Oakland | Algorithm not published | Dispatch Only |
| Lapeer County EMS | MI | Lapeer | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Mercy Ambulance | MI | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Patriot Ambulance Service | MI | Genesee | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Galloway EMS | NJ | Atlantic | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Morris County EMS | NJ | Morris | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Union Township EMS | NJ | Union | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Leon County EMS | FL | Leon | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| AMT Ambulance | IL | La Salle, Peoria, Sangamon, | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Cass County EMS | IL | Cass | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Hatzolah EMS | IL | Cook | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Beverly-Waterford EMS | OH | Washington | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Butler County EMS/Hospitals | OH | Butler | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Clinton County EMS | OH | Clinton | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| EMT Ambulance, Inc | OH | Multi | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Martens & Son's Ambulance Service | OH | Cuyahoga | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Baldwin County EMS | GA | Baldwin | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Barrow County EMS | GA | Barrow | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Columbia County EMS | GA | Columbia | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Elbert County EMS | GA | Elbert | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Greene County EMS | GA | Greene | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Hart County EMS | GA | Hart | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Piedmont-Newton EMS | GA | Newton | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Whitfield County EMS | GA | Whitfield | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Arkansas Valley EMS | CO | Fremont | Algorithm not published | Dispatch Only |
| Yuma County EMS | CO | Yuma | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Grand County EMS | CO | Grand | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Allen County EMS | IN | Allen | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Steuben County EMS | IN | Steuben | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Three Rivers Ambulance Authority | IN | Allen | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Trans Care, Inc EMS | IN | Vigo | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Belthleham EMS | NY | Albany | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Guilderland EMS | NY | Albany | Algorithm not published | Tactical Only |
| Hatzoloh EMS | NY | Rockland | Algorithm not published | Dispatch Only |
| Buncombe County EMS | NC | Buncombe | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Mecklenburg County EMS | NC | Mecklenburg | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Stoddard County EMS | MO | Stoddard | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Advantage EMS | AL | Etowah | Algorithm not published | Dispatch Only |
| Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc (HEMS) | AL | Madison | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| American Medical Response | TN | Knox | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Anderson County EMS | TN | Anderson | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Sullivan County Emergency Medical Services | TN | Sullivan | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Williamson County Emergency Medical Services | TN | Williamson | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| New Orleans Emergency Medical Services | LA | Orleans | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| St. Charles Parish Emergency Medical Services | LA | St. Charles Parish | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Bullitt County EMS | KY | Bullitt | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Georgetown-Scott County Emergency Medical Services | KY | Scott | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Louisville Metro EMS | KY | Jefferson | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Madison County EMS | KY | Madison | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Oldham County EMS | KY | Oldham | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Greenwood County Emergency Medical Services | SC | Greenwood | Algorithm not published | Dispatch Only |
| Jefferson County EMS | WV | Jefferson | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Jones County Emergency Medical Services | MS | Jones | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Wethersfield EMS | CT | Hartford | Algorithm not published | Specific Channels |
| Metro Area Ambulance Service | ND | Burleigh | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Worcester EMS | MA | Worcester | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Comanche County EMS | OK | Comanche | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| EMSA | OK | Tulsa, Cleveland, Wagoner, Oklahoma | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Life EMS | OK | Garfield | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Ottawa County EMS | OK | Ottawa | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| State Medical Examiner | OK | Statewide | Algorithm not published | Partially Encrypted |
| Hays County EMS | KS | Hays | Algorithm not published | Fully Encrypted |
| Honolulu EMS | HI | Honolulu | Algorithm not published | Dispatch Only |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ems agencies have encrypted their radios?
75 ems agencies are documented as encrypted: 28 fully encrypted and 47 with partial encryption.
Which state has the most encrypted ems agencies?
Pennsylvania leads with 12 ems agencies records, out of 80 tracked nationwide.
What encryption technology do most ems agencies use?
For most of the 80 ems agencies records here, no source we have checked names the algorithm: RadioReference marks a talkgroup as encrypted without naming the cipher. 0 have a published source naming it.
Why does encrypting ems agency radio matter?
EMS encryption is often justified by patient privacy concerns (HIPAA), but many agencies encrypt all traffic including dispatches and logistics that contain no patient information. Stakeholders most affected include hospitals, funeral homes, media covering major incidents, public health officials.
What can I do if my local ems agency is encrypted?
Encryption is a policy choice made by department or elected leadership, not a technical requirement — it can be revisited. File a public-records request for the encryption decision, raise it at a city council or county commission meeting, and connect with others who rely on scanner access in your area.
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