Selective power mode control of wireless communication devices

A method of operating a wireless communication device of an emergency service provider, the method comprising:

• receiving a power control code comprising a power control bit from a wireless access node;
• determining a first transmit power level as indicated by the power control code;
• transmitting user communications at the first transmit power level;
• receiving a power mode instruction from the wireless access node;
• determining a second transmit power level by inverting the power control bit responsive to the power mode instruction;
• and
• transmitting the user communications at the second transmit power level.

A wireless communication device of an emergency service provider, comprising:

• a transceiver configured to receive a power control code comprising a power control bit from a wireless access node;
• a power controller configured to determine a first transmit power level as indicated by the power control code and instruct the transceiver to transmit user communications at the first transmit power level;
• the transceiver configured to transmit the user communications at the first transmit power level;
• the transceiver configured to receive a power mode instruction from the wireless access node;
• the power controller configured to determine a second transmit power level by inverting the power control bit responsive to the power mode instruction and instruct the transceiver to transmit the user communications at a second transmit power level;
• and
• the transceiver configured to transmit the user communications at the second transmit power level.