Vault-Tec Emergency Management System

The Vault-Tec Emergency Management System,^[1] also known as the EMS,^[2] was an automated emergency response system developed by Erik DeMarcos for the Vault-Tec Corporation to use in their Vaults. Its primary feature was a database of protocols for several potential emergencies that could occur in a Vault. However, these protocols were largely designed by undergraduate students from Vault-Tec University, some of which received failing grades, yet were implemented anyway. The system boasted thousands of emergency programs for use in any situation.^[3]

Background[]

The system was developed by Erik DeMarcos, a senior professor of computer science and former dean at Vault-Tec University. DeMarcos had a key role in the Vault program and later served as the overseer of Vault 96, which implemented the system.^[4] Vault-Tec compiled several example protocols from DeMarcos' undergraduate students at the university, which he graded aggressively.^[5] Some, like Jim Lanning, created over-the-top protocols, such as completely flooding a Vault in the event of a containment breach; DeMarcos commented that the program's only positive characteristic was that it did not crash immediately, but it was implemented nevertheless.^[6] DeMarcos became suspicious of some of the protocols included in the final version, referencing "infestation by giant mutant insects," "premature psychoactive chemical release" (in reference to the experiment of Vault 106), and "subliminal messaging system failure" (in reference to the experiment of Vault 92).^[2]

Functionality[]

Designed to help Vault overseers, residents, and certified Vault-Tec emergency responders (if available), the system was set up to identify, diagnose, and resolve the situation.^[7] First, the Vault Mainframe would examine the emergency and select a protocol from the database. If possible, an emergency transmission would then be broadcast to any nearby Vault-Tec personnel, though response times following nuclear armaggedon could "vary." A designated emergency response team leader would be required to activate the system via a terminal and select how experienced their team was in dealing with such situations. This would affect the protocol's allotment of hazard pay and bonuses. Finally, the team would need to follow the audible instructions from the Vault Mainframe to resolve the emergency.^[8]

Vaults[]

Vaults that used the Emergency Management System include:

• Vault 94
• Vault 96
• Vault 63^[9]

Appearances[]

The Vault-Tec Emergency Management System is mentioned only in Fallout 76.

Behind the scenes[]

• The Vault-Tec Emergency Management System was active in the discontinued Vault raid feature. Operation of the EMS, as described in the "Using the Emergency Management System" terminal entry, played out during Vault raids. Each Vault Mission was parallel to a described emergency protocol (flooding, reactor meltdown, insect breach), a leader determined their response team's experience (difficulty selection), and hazard pay was affected (quest rewards). However, Vault raids were discontinued with Wastelanders and Vaults 94 and 96 later became Daily Ops locations instead.

References[]