Emergency Procedures

Classroom
Employees gathered around an ambulance
Evacuation Procedures
Spills and Leaks
Students
Students from an organization by a red tent on campus

In an emergency, call 911

Call ISU Police by dialing 911 from a campus phone to report an incident where immediate response is required by police, firefighters, or paramedics.

If using a cell phone, be sure to say, “This is an ISU emergency.”

Call 911 when

  • Someone is hurt or very sick.

  • You see a fire or smell smoke.

  • You see something suspicious or someone committing a crime.

  • You need emergency help for any reason.

If you are a victim of an attack or threat,

  • Remain calm; avoid panicking or showing anger or fear.

  • Never get in a physical confrontation over your personal valuables or university equipment or valuables. Such things are not worth the risk of serious bodily harm.

  • Try to get a good description of your aggressor. When the aggressor leaves the area and you feel safe, write down his or her description.

Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (515) 294-4428

Call the Department of Public Safety at (515) 294-4428 to initiate the appropriate response to an unsafe situation you may be experiencing, regardless of how big or how small the concern. This number is monitored 24 hours a day. A dispatcher will take down the information and relay it to an officer. An officer will then come to your location and take a report if necessary. You may also report crimes in person at the Armory, Room 55.

For urgent counseling, phone (515) 294-5056 (after hours, phone (515) 232-5811)

If you have an urgent matter concerning yourself or others, you might feel it is important to speak to a counselor immediately.  If so, call the Student Counseling Service (SCS) desk at (515) 294-5056, or simply go to the office on the third floor of the Student Services Building. Let the receptionist know that you are requesting a same-day crisis appointment. SCS counselors hold open some appointments each day for such matters. If it is after hours or on a weekend/holiday when SCS is not open, and you feel it is important to speak to someone, you may call the Richmond Center at (515) 232-5811.

General Guidelines

  • Familiarize yourself with the emergency action plan for your  area, so you will know what to do in the event of an emergency.

  • Listen to and act on your intuition. It is better to be safe and risk a little embarrassment, than to stay in an uncomfortable situation that may be unsafe.

  • When you leave your office or lab, you should always lock the door.

  • Never leave your personal property (purse, wallet, keys, briefcase, backpack, etc.) in an open area or unlocked cabinet, making it an easy target for theft.

  • If you work alone before or after normal business hours, keep the door locked.