CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – As of Tuesday, Aug. 5, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department is blocking the public from listening to its emergency radio communications.
Officials announced Monday, Aug. 4, that the radio system would switch to full encryption the following day. This change effectively prevents the public from hearing emergency communications.
Authorities say the move will improve communication among on-scene crews, responding agencies, and Joint Communications Agency dispatchers. The department said the change also aligns the Cedar Rapids Fire Department with the long-standing encrypted radio communication system used by the Cedar Rapids Police Department…