An apparatus and method for efficiently updating location information of a mobile device in a wireless communication network, such as a cellular network, is disclosed. The mobile device sends a location message over an access channel. The wireless communication device continually transmits a location message at periodic intervals without regards to the status of the base station in communication with the wireless communication device. The base station determines a timeslot in which to receive a location message transmitted by the wireless communication device. If more than one wireless communication device is transmitting a location message, the base station prioritizes the order in which to receive the location message, opening the first available timeslot to the higher priority wireless communication device. A high priority device may be a wireless communication device used by emergency services personnel, such as firefighters or the police.