Quite often I hear the moaning and whining about how scanner owners are no longer able to listen to local radio systems because of encryption. Many times the reason cited is a public safety responder concern but realistically think about the overall improvement of emergency response after encryption is implemented.
If you've ever been a first responder you know many times when a large incident occurs, whether a large fire, accident or natural disaster like flooding or a tornado, the incident area quickly becomes congested by those wanting to get a first hand look. Sometimes its by those who heard it on the scanner themselves and sometimes it's a third party or the media who received the information from a scanner listener. This type of activity greatly impedes the ability for agencies to effectively respond to the incident and also affects the response of support crews (utility companies, tow trucks, disaster mediation services).
After being at many big events like the tornados of 2011 and floods of 2009, I welcome the ability for agencies to encrypt their systems which will make their overall response safer and more effective.
If you've ever been a first responder you know many times when a large incident occurs, whether a large fire, accident or natural disaster like flooding or a tornado, the incident area quickly becomes congested by those wanting to get a first hand look. Sometimes its by those who heard it on the scanner themselves and sometimes it's a third party or the media who received the information from a scanner listener. This type of activity greatly impedes the ability for agencies to effectively respond to the incident and also affects the response of support crews (utility companies, tow trucks, disaster mediation services).
After being at many big events like the tornados of 2011 and floods of 2009, I welcome the ability for agencies to encrypt their systems which will make their overall response safer and more effective.