This disclosure describes techniques for efficiently handling emergency calls in a wireless communication system. The techniques are executed in a wireless communication device (WCD) that is interoperable between radio access technologies (RATs). For example, the WCD may support interoperability between the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). Typically, the emergency call is redirected to another RAT or frequency following an unsuccessful emergency call. However, instead of searching only suitable cells on which to place the emergency call, a WCD that implements the described techniques searches acceptable cells of any public land mobile network and attempts to place the emergency call on the cell with the highest power. By placing the emergency call on the cell with the highest power, the techniques reduce delay in placing emergency calls by reducing the number of attempts required before successfully placing the emergency call.