Consider this report as a guide to how not to have to say, “woulda coulda shoulda” (here’s a summary; both are pdfs).
My state of Ohio is considered to have a “critical lack of funding [that] is compromising the safety of Ohioans.” I’ve written about what the Ohio legislature is doing here.
How’s your state doing? Do you know of any horror stories related to the inability for a person with a cellphone to reach 911 or procure 911 services?
This resource page has a variety of links to help you research more fully the issue as it relates to the country and to your state.