As promised, I tuned in to G4 Underground’s exposé on an anti-zombie militia that has taken root in Lafayette, Louisiana (a short promo clip is all that I could find):
The organization calls itself the Zombie Attack Preparedness Team, or ZAPT (Myspace page here), and their sole purpose is one thing and one thing alone: to survive the zombie apocalypse. Now you might consider it presumptuous to think that anything apocalyptic short of a hurricane, let alone a zombie attack, would find itself tearing through Lafayette first and foremost, but keep in mind that zombie outbreaks have a funny tendency to spread worldwide within very little time. So while Z.A.P.T. may not be a first line defense, they do have the benefit of being capable of rapid response when word of the zombie hordes trickles into the boondocks of Louisiana. And I’m confident that any hint of a threat would garner the fullest response possible out of this crackpot team of zombie survivors.
The organization features a bit of a splinter group within its ranks called the Specialized Tactical Undead Disposal unit, or STUD, whose purpose was not made entirely clear to me within the larger context of ZAPT. As every member of ZAPT is trained in survival and weapons maintenance and handling, the best I can figure is that STUD is specifically charged with tactical maneuvers directed against zombie strategic holdouts as it was alluded to that five specially trained members would handle away-type missions against zombies in an effort to secure area or buy time for the remaining members of ZAPT, but this was a best guess based on a relatively short documentary (10 minutes).
One thing I do know is that they keep a regularly updated warning center a la Homeland Security, whereby the current Outbreak Level as of the date of this publishing is Green (subcaption: there is nothing too big that we can’t handle right now!, which suggests to me that low level zombieness may still be occurring, it’s just within the current zombie-warding capabilities). Another thing is that STUD seems to run a type of command center, a forum of information regarding all-things zombie as well as a way for fellow survival enthusiasts to come together and share experiences, tips, and tricks.
In any case, with regards to the episode, the newscast started by following ZAPT conducting one of their preparedness drills. They were very fast and efficient, and had their families/pets out of the house, fully loaded into trucks lined to brim with gear and lots of lots of guns (assault rifles and shotguns, primarily) within very little time. It was actually quite impressive. Certainly lent me a lot of confidence with regards to their rapid responses.
Several things that got my attention most in the episode included their firm belief that a zombie apocalypse would originate from somewhere “overseas,” as well as their childcare center (obviously somebody had to be in charge of looking after the young ‘uns while the grown-ups are out killing zombies and scouring for food, water, fire, shelter (their survival mantra frequently repeated through the episode), which had a rack of assault rifles mounted above the toyboxes containing sundry playthings.
While I don’t necessarily subscribe to a zombie apocyalypse occurring any time in my (or any) lifetime, I do have to give ZAPT kudos for their dedication and commitment to their mission and each other. And I found particularly their fend-for-themselves attitude quite fascinating. I was first a little confused by their insistence that they had plenty of evidence that a zombie attack would be disastrous for everybody if nobody was prepared for it and prepared to fend for themselves, primarily because I didn’t really think they could use as evidence for their claims zombie horror movies and fan fiction. But I was wrong to assume that this was their primary source of evidence, citing instead the government’s horrible and repulsive response to Hurricane Katrina as a testament to the inevitable demise of mankind if not for self-reliance.
The 10-minute “documentary” was really quite fascinating, and the co-organizations of ZAPT and STUD get my whole-hearted endorsement of them as heroes! If a zombie apocalypse does ever occur, I sincerely hope I’m down in Lafayette. Unless I’m turned into a zombie, because then I’ll totally get killed in the face.
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Hey what you guys are doing is like my dream come true. My best friend and I have studied the zombie survival guide religiously and have planned out what we will do in-case of attack. Due to our age we cannot purchase weapons, Although he does have his shotgun, rifle and pistol for hunting. I on the other hand do not have any weapons besides dull replica swords. Once I am of age to buy weapons im going to have a whole armory pretty much
Me and him are wanting to know what it takes to be in Z.A.P.T. You can email me at [e-mail address removed]
Good job on reporting the G4 ZAPT review. It was a good report and I am relieved that someone is watching out for the zombies – Living in California its all I can do to keep up w/ the wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and water shortages….
And they are right after seeing the chaos ensued after 9/11, Katrina, and the SoCal wildfires (where citizens mobilized to fight them) I think it is the best preparation ever!
THANKS!! and THANKS to ZAPT & STUD – -
I respect Z.A.P.T. For what they do and what they stand for. In this day in age you have to be prepaired for anything and everything that comes your way. I was wondering what your take is on other teams around the u.s.a that are like Z.A.P.T. & S.T.U.D.? Because my friend and I was talking about starting a team of our own in VA and\or OH. To me I think having teams in other states would mean a great deal to your cause and help protect the citizens of the United States! If you can contact me by email that would be great my email address is [e-mail redacted].
Proof from BBC that zombies can take over the planet….ZAPT preparedness!!
Z.A.P.T. huh? Its an interesting in theory, but then again we’ve got to presume that if a zombie outbreak did in fact occur 1. It would be a real disease that gives off the appearance of being a zombie 2. We’d have to know how contagious it was so we wouldn’t catch it, and infect everybody else. 3. Tune into the news to see whether there is a possible threat among us or if we’re safe.
There is certainly no harm in being prepared. However, even if the Government were to cause a zombie out break the first thing you’ve got to remember is A. In case of a zombie out break, on a mass scale you’re not going to have access to a gun with all of the looting going on around you. All you can do is grab what you have i.e. anything sharp, and practice makes perfect when it comes to using it. In case of disease you’d have to learn fight in Hazmat suits and the last I checked that’s not a proven science until somebody makes it one. Also in a Zombie Outbreak your mind would be the greatest weapon. Sure shooting zombies from here to kingdom come is fun. But I don’t think we will witness an undead zombie outbreak. although stranger things have happened. Developing a strategy, getting creative, and using common items developing them into weapons is a more sure fire way of fighting a zombie outbreak if one does occur. Creating an outpost that is safe is also a good thing. Also because of the mass hysteria involved with such a thing you would have to remain calm under pressure so you would not affected by the paranoia running rampant around you.
Taking these things into consideration is good so in your preparation for it to occur your objective won’t go down in flames.
I am planning on putting together a survival kit.not just for zombies but in case I would have to leave my house. Makes you think we are so depended on electicity, modern appliances that only rely on it. Roads that is bloacked with only one accident , there is no way out of where you actually are. Most people are split during days, working, kids at school. In case of an emergency it is very unlikely you could get together with your loved ones right away. Also in case of an any outbreak , it is impossibble to avoid human beings. I’m in the city anyway. Not just for zombies but any case of survival , most of us not prepared.
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Thanks Again. Cool.