IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING RADIO ENCRYPTION:
This September, Hendricks County 911 will expand encryption to additional public safety radio channels. This enhancement is designed to better protect sensitive information, support responder safety, and ensure public safety communications reflect current industry best practices.
The transition will primarily affect fire and EMS communications throughout Hendricks County and follows the successful implementation of encrypted law enforcement channels already utilized by public safety agencies across the county.
"In addition to protecting privacy, encrypted communications help enhance the safety of emergency personnel operating in the field,” said Renee Tomlinson, Director of Hendricks County 911. “Public safety agencies frequently respond to active crime scenes, serious vehicle crashes, fires, and other dynamic incidents where unrestricted access to radio traffic could compromise operations or create additional safety concerns for responders, victims, witnesses, and the public.”
The transition reflects a growing trend among public safety agencies nationwide as technology advances and expectations surrounding privacy and information security continue to increase.
Radio traffic on these channels will be publicly accessible on a delay, and public safety agencies throughout Hendricks County remain committed to transparency. Residents will continue to receive important information regarding emergencies, public safety incidents, road closures, community alerts, and significant events through official agency websites, social media channels, media releases, public records, and emergency notification systems.
For most residents, this change will have little to no impact on how you receive public safety information. Emergency alerts, road closures, major incidents, community notifications, and public safety updates will continue to be shared through official agency websites, social media channels, media releases, public records, and emergency notification systems.
For those who monitor radio traffic, fire and EMS communications will remain available through public scanner platforms. However, location information and certain sensitive details will be delayed by approximately 30 minutes. This delay helps protect the privacy of individuals involved in emergencies and enhances the safety and security of active incident scenes while still allowing public access to radio communications.
