Tactical Tuesday #1

It's Tactical Tuesday!!!

Today's topic is the proper selection of a home base in the case of a zombie apocalypse. The selection of a protectable shelter is of grave importance. The place one choses to weather the storm of the undead can often times be the deciding factor in whether or not one lives or dies.

One of the most useful places at the onset of an apocalypse (zombie or otherwise) is the library. As the world comes crashing down around our ears the only really useful tool any person can have is knowledge. A library full of books (all of which do not require food, water or batteries) is irreplaceable in its utility.

A well-informed and well-prepared person (such as yourself) will recognize the beginnings of the zombie apocalypse. As the ensuing riots, mobs etc begin to make normal life obsolete, it will be time to prepare. After the noise dies down and the government inevitably disintegrates it will be up to each and every person to take care of themselves. Eventually supplies will run out and most likely it will be necessary to secure safe shelter.

Safe Shelter Checklist:

1. Preferably TWO easily manageable and easily defensible ways out
2. Visibility without compromising safety
3. Lebensraum: living space and resources
4. No Zombies--Of course!

The Public Library has great potential in this regard. I used our local one as a model. Scope out yours for comparison.

1. Preferably two easily manageable and easily defensible ways out  

The top story (containing the reference section, a good post-apocalypse resource) is only accessible by a single set of easily destroyed stairs (destroyed the minute you decide to build your shelter here! Ghouls can flop up stairs--not well or fast but they still can), a single elevator (if the power is still on, a simple fuse will disable the elevator, but most likely it will not be needed) and a fire escape that leads outside the building.

2.Visibility without compromising safety.

The top floor overlooks the bottom with perfect visuals on the front door. There are several picture windows to the southwest side (lets in lots of light, since inevitably the electricity will go out) which allows visibility across a vast lawn on two sides. The fire escape is lowered with a chain (easily pulled up and dropped down by one person) allowing ease of access when scavenging for supplies or escape if the shelter is compromised.

3. Lebensraum: Living space and resources

The placement of the building in town contributes to the ease of supply access--The library in my town is near to two grocery stores, two pawn shops (often neglected when guns are acquired in the event of national disaster), a camping store (slim pickings probably but worth a shot), a few clothing stores and two mechanics shops (small amounts of flammable liquids and tools are kept here, ergo their mention).  The nearness of facilities where useful tactical supplies can be procured is essential to the success of any home base shelter. Beyond physical safety, a shelter is only as good as its siege capabilities. It may work great while your supplies last, but when you're stuck and have to either make a run for supplies the nearer they are the better. If the places you need to search are too far from home base (especially if you've got infirm or children with you) you're screwed.

All of these facilities are well within 15 minutes walking distance (granted that is a pre-dead rising estimation).

**Another useful feature of public libraries is most often they have large parking lots. These lots will most likely be empty in the case of an apocalpyse (people don't often go to library when they think they're going to die...well most people...I would probably go to the library). These are most useful in the case of burning bodies, since they are on inflammable asphalt and often are at least a few dozen yards away from the main building, thus there is little chance of setting fire to your shelter.  They also mean a more open layout to see the undead from several directions without having buildings obstructing your view.

4. No Zombies of course!!!
Because Libraries don't tend to have a great deal of people on staff--20 or so if that--there shouldn't be an overabundance of zombies on the premesis. A simple sweep of the area will make it secure.

Granted not all shelters are created equal. This schematic is meant to provide you with the basics so when you pick a shelter, you know what to look for and what to avoid.

Good luck my friends!