Various embodiments are described for improving network access through multi-stage signaling. Logic flow diagram 10 in FIG. 1 depicts functionality performed by a wireless communication system in accordance with multiple embodiments of the present invention. A network node configures (12) a shared indicator code for indicating an emergency and/or a group call access occurring in that sector. Thus, when an MS performs an emergency access, it transmits (13) an access signal on both the shared indicator code and on a randomly selected code. This more quickly notifies the network that there is at least one MS in the sector. Once aware that such an access is occurring in that sector, the network may (14) provision additional access resources, estimate the number of MSs transmitting based on the received power on that indicator code, start backing off non-emergency traffic, and/or begin transmitting communication without waiting for authentication to complete.