2nd Quarter Safety Training - Zombie Preparedness

In our efforts to make the library a safe and welcoming environment, we occasionally update safety policies and procedures. Now more than ever, our staff need to become vigilant in Zombie Preparedness. The CDC recently updated their emergency preparedness to cover a Zombie attack on our neighborhoods. We have prepared some quick steps for you and your library location. These steps can also be applied at home with your family. 

A Brief History of Zombies

We’ve all seen at least one movie about flesh-eating zombies taking over, but where do zombies come from and why do they love eating brains so much? The word zombie comes from Haitian and New Orleans voodoo origins. Although its meaning has changed slightly over the years, it refers to a human corpse mysteriously reanimated to serve the undead. Through ancient voodoo and folk-lore traditions, shows like the Walking Dead were born.

In movies, shows, and literature, zombies are often depicted as being created by an infectious virus, which is passed on via bites and contact with bodily fluids. Harvard psychiatrist Steven Scholzman wrote a medical paper on the zombies and refers to the condition as Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome caused by an infectious agent. The Zombie Survival Guide identifies the cause of zombies as a virus called solanum.

The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder “How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?”

Well, we’re here to answer that question for you!

Better Safe than Sorry

So what do you need to do before zombies? First of all, you should have an emergency kit everywhere (home, work, car). This includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp. Below are a few items you should include in your kit:

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
• Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
• Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
• Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
• Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
• Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
• First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during running from zombies)

Once you’ve made your emergency kit, you should sit down with your library staff and come up with an emergency plan. This includes where you would go and who you would call if zombies started appearing outside your library location.

1. Pick a safe place in the library for your location to regroup in case zombies invade your library location. 
2. Identify your emergency contacts. Make a list of local contacts like the police, fire department, and your local zombie response team. Follow the below emergency functions matrix.
3. Make friends with your security guard (they are strong and can help fight off hungry zombies).
4. Library books are not only great for reading and passing time while hiding out, they can also double as a weapon.  This can be direct contact as a shield or as a throwing mechanism.
5. Plan your evacuation route. When zombies are hungry they won’t stop until they get food (i.e., brains, Happy April Fool's Day), which means you need to get out of the library fast! Plan where you would go and multiple routes you would take ahead of time so that the flesh eaters don’t have a chance!

Emergency Functions Matrix

Appendix 1 - Legend that applies to the matrix
Each area of the metropolitan library system has specific responsibilities and related activities/actions assigned to them for each identified hazard and threat. Each area is responsible for ensuring coordination of efforts.

Appendix 2 - Definitions that Apply to the Functions in the Matrix

• Incident Command - These are the library personnel who will take charge of an incident and provide command and control on-scene until an incident is stabilized. In most cases this will be the library operations manager.
• Evacuation - These departments will facilitate evacuations of library facilities
• Access Control - These departments will control building and areas of access through the use of electronic and manual locking systems. Access will also be controlled through the use of physical barriers.
• Traffic/Crowd Control - The police and fire departments will provide assistance providing traffic and crowd control in instances where this function is required.
• EOC Operations - The departments listed in this category will provide representation at the EOC to assist in managing the incident. The EOC will be activated by the Executive Director.
• Public Information - In most incidents, public information about the incident will come from a representative from one or more of the following departments: Police and Fire Departments, Marketing & Communications.
• Documentation - For any incident there is a need for documentation of damages, expenses, etc. The departments listed will be responsible for collecting documentation specific to their areas and turning such documentation over to the Administrative Team for review.
• Procurement - The departments assigned to procurement activities will have the authority to make large or continuing purchases through the incident. It is expected that this department will have budgetary authority and pre-established contracts to complete their mission.
• Communications - Communications via telecommunications, radios and data will maintained and facilitated by the departments that are enumerated in the matrix.
• Hazmat Operations - Although local Fire/EMS Departments would be the lead agency in any major hazmat incident, the departments enumerated on the matrix would be part of any unified command of the incident.
• Damage Assessment - The departments who have responsibility for library buildings and structures would provide assessments on the damage to their buildings and make decisions on the safety of the structures.
• Facilities - The departments listed for this function would determine how the buildings coordination will be used, repaired and opened and take control of all aspects of building management of their particular facilities.
• Recovery Operations - These departments would be involved in the recovery of critical functions and tasks that would be required to get the library up and running to continue regular business.
• Volunteer Coordination - After the initial impact of a major incident at a library location, there may be a need to coordinate individuals from both within and outside of the system who wish to volunteer their time or services to the library. It is important that this function is centralized and coordinated with the EOC.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, when it comes to being prepared for a zombie attack, we all play a role.  We also encourage you to nomiate a zombie preparedness champion. This individual will help coordinate the zombie preparedness at your location and could possibly serve as a representative to the Safety Committee.  We have also prepared a list of discussion questions for you to discuss with your library location and a list of other resources.  

Discussions

• Where is our safe place in the library?
• What other items do you believe should be in your emergency kit?
• How can we protect library customers from becoming zombie lunch?
• How often should we conduct a zombie attack drill at our location?
• How can we use books as other sources to protect ourselves?

Further Reading & Resources

• The Zombie Survival Guide
• CDC Information
• Zombie Preparedness Poster (download)

We hope that this information helps save lives and helps us better prepare for a zombie attack.   We also would like a record of all of the individuals who have taken the time to read this information.   Click here to let us know if you have completed the reading and are ready to help your library's zombie preparedness.

You've read this far...come on now, you know this is a joke, right?