So the argument you lead with is about extra phone lines? Then one can expect that professors have a university office line, and universities have Way More comp

So the argument you lead with is about extra phone lines? Then one can expect that professors have a university office line, and universities have Way More competency and discretionary budget in hiring PR firms and in-house staff to deal with dynamic and acute events. In terms of sheer muscle power, most public officials can't compare to the behemoth that is a university. They are even outclassed on agility. It may be your local official's job to do something, but the reality of budget anemia is stiffer than their obligations to you.