The priority communication system provides the capability to restrict
access to wireless communications services to emergency service
personnel, such that their access to wireless communication services is
not interruptible. This is accomplished by provisioning the cell sites of
a wireless communications system to respond to at least one service
priority grouping, with emergency service personnel being assigned a
selected service priority by a centralized emergency services agency. The
service priority coverage area and emergency service personnel assigned
the service priority are defined on a dynamic basis by the centralized
emergency services agency and are indicated by a priority call access
code that is transmitted to the emergency service personnel. In order to
ensure the proper operation of the priority communication system, the
priority call access codes are maintained in secrecy to thereby enable
emergency service personnel to have access to wireless communications
facilities.