Emergency preparedness activities at ISU epitomize our land-grant mission through partnerships with the City of Ames, Ames Fire Department, Story County Public Health, Story County Emergency Management, Mary Greely Medical Center as well as  Ames Laboratory Occupational Medicine, Thielen Student Health, and ISU Police.

EH&S, in cooperation with many ISU academic and non-academic units, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Story County Public Health, monitored the Ebola outbreak around the world so our campus was prepared to respond if necessary.

In April 2015, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) began receiving reports of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory was called to assist the US Department of Agriculture and IDALS in the development of control zones for flock management at farms testing positive for avian influenza. EH&S coordinated respirator fit testing and medical evaluations of 66 employees from ISU, Story County, and IDALS. N-95 dust mask respirators were worn by all personnel who had contact with the infected flocks.

EH&S also assisted with the development of Frequently Asked Questions document to assist researchers who expressed interest in conducting research in HPAI.