Protocol 2 Zombie Teams

The crux of the protocol systems is that at each level of zombie protocols escalates to a specific level to counter that threat. Escalation is a crucial aspect of survival for the following reasons:

1) Use of resources. Full-scale mobilization requires heavy expenditures of fuel, ammunition, food, and time. Though overwhelming force is always the ideal solution, in most zombie-survival scenarios there are extremely limited resources and personel. As such, every person sent out is one less to guard the home location, engage in agricultural activities, or similar survival activities. As such, escalation strives to strike a balance between use of resources and the scale of the threat.
2) Limited Intelligence. Unless you are working with a technologically-sophisticated and well-established protocol team, intelligence will be primarily gathered through human sources. Escalation allows for additional recon work, and keeps a team from committing all resources without a full understanding of the situation.

A team designed to respond to Zombie Protocol 2 serves as the base marker for all other teams. The zombie presence is confirmed, and so the team must be prepared for combat encounters. Furthermore, the team is expected to conduct recon missions, recovery missions, and resource missions. They must be prepared to transport persons or supplies across significant distances. The team is expected to be able to deal with any minor zombie threat and hold their own against larger forces until an escape can be made. The team is also expected to be able to operate intelligently and cautiously without contact with the home location.

The team is recommended to consist of the following persons. Replacements for equipment should be made cautiously, based on specific scenarios or limited resources.

1) Team Captain: The team leader. Should generally be the most experienced hunter with a will to lead. Must be committed to the paramount goal of the survival of the home location, followed by a will for the survival of the team. This requires exceedingly good problem-solving skills and the ability to consider the larger picture.
Equipment: Standard armor and protective gear. Heavy pistol sidearm. Semi-automatic rifle with scope. Binoculars. Radio. Maps. Tool kit and repair gear. Medical Kit.

2) Combat Member (2): The standard armored soldiers of the team. Their duties are to secure the areas the team is working in, to form a basic combat bulwark against zombies, and to serve as general muscle for the team. They should have extensive combat training, as well as physical and mental endurance, and ideally nerves of steel.
Equipment: Standard armor and proctective gear. Heavy pistol sidearm. Automatic rifles. Medical kit.

3) Close Combat Member: Zombies, by and large, are effective because of heavy mobs that draw into melee combat. The close combat member is in place to hold back zombie masses, as well as serve as a "turret" to close down avenues of approach to the team. They must be a master of their weapons, and they must also have good reflexes. A poor close combat member could easily wound or kill members of his or her own team.
Equipment: Heavy armor and protective gear. Automatic pistol sidearm. Semi-Automatic Shotgun. Grenades. Medical kit. If possible, flamethrower.

4) Combat Engineer: The team travels with a variety of equipment, and will undoubtably encounter areas that require mechanical and engineering expertise. The combat engineer is on-hand to deal with those situations. Whether it is fixing a vehicle, repairing a firearm, starting a generator, or opening a door, the combat engineer must be capable and resourceful enough to make them work.
Equipment: Light armor and protective gear. Heavy pistol sidearm. Semi-automatic rifle with scope. Chainsaw. Acetelyn Torch. Toolkit. Rope and lifting gear.

5) Medic: Injury for a team is inevitable, whether it is from zombie, accident, or natural hazard. But a medic's duties go beyond that. There may be survivors within the team's area of operation; injured civilians in need of help or rescue. The medic should be prepared to encounter all manner of medical emergencies, as well as engaging in some forensic medicine.
Equipment: Light armor and protective gear. Heavy pistol sidearm. Semi-automatic rife. Heavy medical kit. Stretcher. Defibulator.

Of course, all members of the team are expected to engage in combat operations and to pitch in where needed. The team is just that: a team. It cannot survive if they operate on individual levels without mutual support and a cohesive approach.

The team travels in one to two vehicles, ideally designed for all terrain travel (such as Suburbans or heavy trucks). These vehicles should have open storage space, as well as additional ammunition, food, tents, and similar survival gear. However, the team should avoid falling into the trap of packing too much.