Cedar Rapids Public Safety Radio Encryption

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department will switch its radio system to an all-encrypted status beginning August 5, 2025. This change in operational status will improve communication integrity for fire crews on-scene, between responding agencies, and with Joint Communications Agency Dispatchers. This also aligns CRFD with long-standing Cedar Rapids Police radio communication systems. Recent radio upgrades at CRFD and other local agencies make this change possible. "Encryption of our system was coordinated across public safety agencies within the City, Linn County, and with bordering counties. The ability to communicate clearly with our portable, mobile and console units is a critical need for our firefighters." Cedar Rapids Fire Chief Greg Smith also emphasizes first responder safety stemming from encrypted radio communications. "Firefighters need to talk openly with tactical responders during high-risk events. Using encryption ensures only authorized users are able to hear and respond to the movements and locations of our teams."

Additional benefits of encrypted communications include:
- A higher level of privacy for victims during medical responses. Medical information communicated with medical centers is now protected from public dissemination and potential misuse. The transmission of medical conditions and names potentially releases personally identifiable information that, by law, is to remain private.
-Alignment with other local and regional agencies who already use encrypted systems. Agency partners held onto older systems to continue communications with CRFD teams. They will now have the ability to communicate without consideration of whether their transmitter needs to be switched.

Encryption is a tried and tested technology that elevates the capabilities and efficiency of Cedar Rapids' First Responders. In the rare case where interoperability is needed and encryption capabilities do not exist, backup plans are in place to deliver radio services.

Older, but still serviceable CRFD mobile units may be re-purposed by other City departments where radio communications would add an element of communication reliability and fill a new or existing need.