A high-altitude platform (HAP) node provides communication service during an emergency. The HAP node uses a first network to provide communication services for handling calls initiated by at least one user equipment (UE). The HAP node detects that an emergency disruption has occurred that prevents the use of the first network. In response to detecting the occurrence of the emergency disruption, a mobile terminal (MT) in the HAP node searches for a second network able to accept emergency calls. The HAP node determines whether the second network will handle all calls initiated by the at least one UE or only emergency calls generated by the at least one UE. The HAP node handles the calls based on the determining and through the use of the second network.