Ready for an emergency, say

ONCALL

Think of a doctor or technician who must be available to respond quickly, even outside regular hours. This phrase often describes their status.

"Ready for an emergency, say" hints at someone who’s available to respond quickly, like a doctor or technician waiting to be called in. The phrase "on call" fits perfectly—it’s a common term for being prepared to act at a moment’s notice. The answer drops the space to become "ONCALL," which is how crosswords often handle multi-word phrases. The "say" in the clue just means it’s one possible example of readiness.