In response to detecting a call attempt for a priority call on the originating wireless network by an initiating access terminal, at least one active call having a priority level less than the priority call is transferred to an alternate technology wireless network. If a call attempt is placed when a transfer threshold has been exceeded, candidate transferring terminals are identified based on multi-mode capabilities and network conditions. One or more of the candidate transferring terminals engaged in calls that have a priority level less than the priority call are transferred from the originating wireless network to the alternate technology wireless network when the transfer threshold is exceeded.