Disclosed is a method and system for improving access to emergency services via a communication system including a shared wireless communications medium. A requesting wireless communications device receives dialed digits matching a predetermined dialed destination associated with an emergency contact and attempts to place a call to the dialed destination. Responsive to a failure of the attempt to place the call and to the matching, the requesting wireless communications device broadcasts a signal to cause at least one nearby wireless communications device to release at least a portion of communication system resources currently in use so as to thereby allow the released communication system resources to be subsequently used by the requesting wireless communications device. The requesting wireless communications device may then re-attempt the call with improved chances of connecting in light of the released resources.