The disclosed invention relates to a system for restricting radio frequency transmissions within a restricted area and more particularly to a mechanism for overriding the restriction of radio frequency transmissions within a restricted area using an override mechanism. A restricted area is defined wherein all radio frequency transmissions are restricted. Within the restricted a plurality of cellular telephones is disposed, each with a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver. An emergency override is also disposed within the restricted area, the emergency override capable of selectively enabling communications of a selected subset of the cellular telephones disposed within the restricted area.