In one embodiment, an emergency configuration control device is provided for a communications system that provides wireless RF communication service to a coverage area, wherein the system comprises an RF protection function coupled to at least one power amplifier, protection function configured to disable the power amplifier when the protection function determines that at least one parameter of the power amplifier has deviated outside of an operating specification, the device comprising: an emergency configuration control module executed by a controller, the emergency configuration control module configured to determine when an emergency event is occurring within the coverage area as a function of a first set of input signals; wherein the emergency configuration control module enters phase one operation and inhibits disabling of the power amplifier by the RF protection function and outputs one or more phase one notification signals in response to determining that the emergency event is occurring.