Sherard Fire Department
Marshall, West Virginia
How we verified this
As of August 2026 the matching Marshall County entry on RadioReference's WV SIRN listing is "2464 | Sherrard VFD Pv | Sherrard Fire - Private" — spelled Sherrard, not Sherard — marked "D Enc", while the countywide fire dispatch talkgroup remains in the clear.
Encryption Details
Marshall County Context
Of the 20 public-safety agencies we track in Marshall County, Sherard Fire Department is currently the only one we have flagged as encrypted.
See every agency we track in Marshall County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sherard Fire Department radio encrypted?
Yes. Sherard Fire Department uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Can I listen to Sherard Fire Department on a police scanner?
Partially. Sherard Fire Department encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Sherard Fire Department encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Marshall County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Marshall County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Sherard Fire Department operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about Sherard Fire Department encryption?
Put the question to whoever signs off on Sherard Fire Department'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 Marshall County so the ask arrives as a group rather than a one-off.