Field Expedient Security Measures

When a natural disaster strikes, civil unrest erupts, or any other crisis unfolds, maintaining personal security in urban environments can become critically challenging. Established law enforcement or emergency services may be stretched thin, leading citizens to adopt field expedient security measures—resourceful, improvised methods—to protect themselves and their property. The following guide outlines commonly referenced strategies and best practices in line with reputable sources such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, and Ready.gov. While no measure is foolproof, understanding how to reinforce doors, install makeshift alarms, and maintain safe lines of communication can greatly enhance your security posture in a time of crisis.

Understanding Field Expedient Security

Urban SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) principles focus on ensuring individual survival in hostile or unpredictable environments. Within this framework, “field expedient security measures” are stop-gap methods you can implement when regular infrastructure is compromised.

According to FEMA’s “Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness” (2004), “Taking protective measures in your home can reduce the likelihood of theft and break-ins, especially in times of disaster or civil unrest.” (p. 10). This statement underscores the importance of making quick but smart decisions about how to safeguard one’s household or community when professional assistance may be delayed.

Disclaimer: It is crucial to abide by local laws and regulations and to avoid actions that could harm others or exacerbate an already tense situation. The strategies below are general suggestions meant for lawful self-protection under extraordinary circumstances.

The Layered Security Approach

Much like layers of clothing that protect you from the cold, “layered security” refers to employing multiple deterrents or barriers so that any threat or intruder faces increasing difficulty at each step. A layered approach typically includes:

1. Perimeter Awareness: Paying close attention to your street, yard, or apartment complex.

2. Physical Barriers: Reinforced locks, barricaded entryways, and sealed windows.

3. Early Warning Systems: Makeshift alarms or indicators to detect unauthorized entry.

4. Safe Room: A reinforced interior room offering protection if the outer layers are breached.

   
   

As recommended by Ready.gov, “Home security practices should consider all points of entry—doors, windows, and even basement access—to effectively deter and delay unwanted intrusions.” (Ready.gov, 2023).

Reinforcing Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are often the first points of forced entry, especially in an urban setting where adjacent buildings or fire escapes provide easy access. Having a few tools and materials on hand can help fortify these vulnerable areas.

1. Barricading Doors:

   • If the door swings inward, position heavy furniture (like a bookshelf or dresser) against it to absorb impact.

     
     

   • Use wooden beams or metal bars placed at an angle between the door handle and the floor to hinder opening from the outside.

     
     

   • For outward-swinging doors, consider creating a makeshift bar across the frame with lumber or metal rods.

     
     

2. Reinforcing Locks:

   • Add auxiliary locks or latches if available.

     
     

   • Secure door hinges with long screws (3-inch or longer) to anchor the hinges into the doorframe’s stud.

     
     

3. Window Fortification:

   • Use plywood or spare lumber to cover broken or fragile windows.

     
     

   • If plywood is unavailable, consider using thick plastic sheets or even metal scraps, secured with nails or screws.

     
     

   • A broken window can be covered with blankets or tarps on the inside if no other materials are available. This won’t stop a determined intruder but can serve as a temporary barrier and conceal activity inside.

     
     

According to FEMA, “Locking doors and windows, reinforcing them if necessary, and using common-sense measures can often deter looters in a disaster scenario.” (FEMA, 2004, p. 11).

Improvised Early Warning Systems

When electronic alarm systems fail due to power outages or communication breakdowns, improvisation is key. Early warning systems alert you to threats before they escalate.

1. Noise-Making Obstacles:

   • String cans, metal scraps, or small bells on cords around perimeter fences or doorways. If tampered with, they create immediate noise.

     
     

   • Hang wind chimes near windows or hallways to hear if someone brushes against them at night.

     
     

2. Tripwires:

   • Light fishing line or strong thread can be used as a tripwire connected to noisemakers.

     
     

   • Place them around ground-level windows or hallway entrances to detect movement.

     
     

   • Exercise caution to avoid injuring residents or passersby inadvertently.

     
     

3. Lighting and Motion Sensors:

   • If battery-powered or solar-powered motion sensor lights are available, place them at entryways.

     
     

   • Even simple flashlights or lanterns rigged on a tilt (that activates when a door opens) can give a momentary warning.

     
     

The American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of alerts: “Any early warning device, from the simplest noise-maker to a sophisticated home alarm system, can provide a critical time window to take protective actions.” (American Red Cross, 2023).

Controlling Light and Visibility

Visibility is a double-edged sword in security. On one hand, having a clear view of potential threats outside is crucial, but you also want to reduce the likelihood of being spotted. The concept of “tactical lighting” is about controlling what others see while maintaining your own situational awareness.

1. Exterior Lighting:

   • Use battery- or solar-powered lamps at key access points, but angle them away from living spaces so as not to illuminate your exact position.

   • If possible, install or set up reflective surfaces or mirrors to monitor corners or blind spots without exposing yourself.

     
     

2. Interior Lighting Discipline:

   • During nighttime hours, use blackout curtains or thick blankets over windows to prevent silhouettes from revealing movement inside.

   • Minimize using bright flashlights near windows. Instead, use a low-intensity red or green light that is less likely to be seen from a distance.

     
     

3. Night Vision Considerations:

   • In prolonged crises, your eyes adapt to the dark. Frequent use of bright lights can hinder your night vision.

     
     

   • Consider using headlamps with a red-light function or ambient glow sticks to preserve low-light visibility.

     
     

Controlling what can be seen and heard in a crisis environment not only enhances your personal security but also ensures you retain an element of surprise if an intruder tests your perimeter.

Safe Room Basics

In extreme circumstances, intruders might breach your outer layers. Having a safe room—even a very rudimentary one—within your home or building offers a final layer of protection. This could be a room with minimal windows, a reinforced door, or an improvised barricade.

1. Location:

   • Ideally, choose a room with a single, solid-core door and no large windows.

   • Bathrooms often serve this purpose if they can be barricaded or locked effectively.

     
     

2. Reinforcement:

   • Apply the same door reinforcement techniques (hinge screws, extra locks, or a bar) to the safe room entrance.

   • Keep essentials—like water, first-aid supplies, a phone or radio, and tools—inside.

     
     

3. Communication:

   • If cell towers are functional, keep a charged phone in the safe room.

   • Two-way radios or battery-powered communication devices can be valuable if telephone lines are down.

     
     

FEMA suggests, “Identify a small, interior room with strong structural support where you can stay hidden or temporarily protected during a break-in or extreme weather event.” (FEMA, 2004, p. 17).

Communication and Coordination

In times of crisis, staying informed and connected can be as vital as physical security measures. Disseminating information swiftly helps you and your neighbors coordinate defenses or evacuation.

1. Neighborhood Watch:

   • If safe and feasible, organize with neighbors to create a rotating watch. This spreads the responsibility and reduces fatigue.

     
     

2. Radio Channels:

   • Handheld FRS/GMRS radios (Family Radio Service/General Mobile Radio Service) are valuable if cell networks fail.

     
     

   • Pre-agree on radio frequencies with your trusted network and practice basic radio discipline (e.g., avoiding excessive chatter, using call signs).

     
     

3. Mobile Communication:

   • If cell service is still operating, set up group messaging apps or use text messaging, which can go through even with weaker signals.

     
     

   • Charge devices with any available power source—solar chargers, car batteries, or portable generators.

     
     

The American Red Cross advises: “Establish a communication plan that includes out-of-area contacts, alternative communication methods, and regular check-ins with neighbors or relatives.” (American Red Cross, 2023).

Maintaining a Low Profile

A critical element of urban SERE is the “grey man” concept—blending in to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Flashy barricades or extremely overt security measures can sometimes attract more scrutiny from opportunistic individuals. Instead, strike a balance between effective defense and subtlety.

1. Avoid Advertising Resources:

   • Cover or mask abundant resources—like large water supplies or food stocks.

   • Use curtains or tarps to hide any stockpiles from prying eyes.

     
     

2. Minimize Noise:

   • Keep radio volume low.

   • Consider daily tasks that generate minimal sounds (e.g., cooking at off-peak hours).

     
     

3. Blend in with the Environment:

   • Dress in a manner consistent with your surroundings, avoiding tactical gear unless absolutely necessary.

   • Never boast about your capabilities or supplies to neighbors or strangers.

     
     

According to Ready.gov, “Concealing valuables and resources can reduce the likelihood of becoming a target in a crisis.” (Ready.gov, 2023).

Final Thoughts

Field expedient security measures can be the difference between vulnerability and resilience in an urban crisis scenario. From reinforcing doors and windows with found materials to setting up rudimentary alarms, your ultimate goal is to deter intruders, provide yourself with reaction time, and protect your loved ones. By adopting a layered security posture—supported by a safe room, discreet communication strategies, and a low profile—you significantly increase your chances of staying safe when formal assistance is scarce.

References

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2004). Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf

2. Ready.gov. (2023). Build A Kit & Protect Your Home. Retrieved from https://www.ready.gov/kit

3. American Red Cross. (2023). Disaster Preparedness. Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies