In response to a determination that network communication traffic at a network node relates to an emergency communication, a network controller can be operable to analyze a network condition associated with the network node. Based on an analysis of the network condition, the network controller can facilitate an adjustment to a partition of an integrated access and backhaul link. The network controller can further be operative to determine whether an operator policy is applicable to the adjustment of the partition. Additionally, the network controller can be operable to facilitate the selection of a path to route the emergency communication based upon the network condition and the operator policy.