diff --git a/app/node_main.py b/app/node_main.py
index 24a05b0..48041fb 100644
--- a/app/node_main.py
+++ b/app/node_main.py
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ async def mqtt_lifecycle_manager():
         payload = {
             "node_id": NODE_ID,
             "status": "online",
-            "timestamp": datetime.now().isoformat(),
+            "timestamp": datetime.utcnow().isoformat(),
             "is_listening": op25_status.get("is_running", False),
             "active_system": op25_status.get("active_system"),
             # Only scan library if needed, otherwise it's heavy I/O
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ async def mqtt_lifecycle_manager():
                                         break
                             if current_tgid: break
 
-                    now = datetime.now()
+                    now = datetime.utcnow()
 
                     # Logic for handling call start/end events
                     if current_tgid != 0: