Apparatus, system and method for generating a virtual assistant on a repeater

A system, apparatus, and method are provided for integrating a virtual assistant (VA) subsystem (114) with a repeater (102) of a communication system (100). A conventional repeater (102) containing repeater receiver (108), a repeater controller (110), and a repeater transmitter (112) communicate with a plurality of radios (120, 130). The repeater controller (110) places the repeater (102) into a repeater mode or a virtual assistant mode based on a squelch code associated with an incoming radio signal. The system provides virtual assistant operation, prioritization of mission critical calls, interrupt, and privacy on a single conventional channel. The incorporation of the virtual assistant into a conventional repeater system has been advantageously achieved without the use of additional infrastructure or additional licensed channels.