Pulowski Preservation shelter



Pulowski Preservation Shelters, also called "portashelters", are coin-operated, one-person fallout shelters found on street corners throughout the more urban areas of the Capital Wasteland, provided by Pulowski Preservation Services. Advertised as a "sensible" and "affordable" alternative to the Vaults, people would ostensibly use them as a last-minute resort in the event of a nuclear attack. The shelter itself is firmly secured to the ground, and ventilation piping is attached to the rear of the booth. A luminous sign on the front of the shelter indicates whether it is occupied.

Pre-War Use
Though the shelters can shield against explosive force, they do not seem to shield against radiation; it could be speculated that the installation of so many booths may be seen as a profiteering scheme in the climate of fear before the Great War began, or they may be simply in disrepair when found by the player. The shelters only had an air supply, and no food or water, so the occupant's survival was dependent on what they were carrying at the time. Whether any occupant survived through the use of these shelters is unknown, though many are filled with skeletons, suggesting the majority of occupants died trapped inside. The last-minute nature of the booth meant that ill-prepared occupants were likely resigned to die from starvation if they survived the high radiation levels. Considering the blood splatters within several booths containing handguns, it seems that some occupants committed suicide after losing all hope of survival. The only advice offered after entering the booth is: "Wait for radiation to clear. Enjoy your stay." Although somewhat illogical, it seems these shelters were intended to be re-usable; considering the tone of advertising the shelters were given, the risk and cost of nuclear devastation pre-war was likely greatly underestimated by the general public.

Post-War Use
Though apparently coin operated, the player can enter simply by pressing on the coin-slot. A century later, Pulowski shelters have found new use in protecting citizens of the Wasteland from its dangers; at least one NPC (Bryan Wilks in "Those!") hides in a Pulowski Shelter. Conversely, in Paradise Falls the shelters are used as punishment cells; a Pulowski Shelter at the far end of the settlement is used to detain unruly slaves, and is named "The Box". This shelter is unique in that it has also been modified to be lockable, imprisoning the slave Rory Maclaren.

The Preservation Shelters are sturdy objects and therefore can provide cover against gunfire and explosives. Drawing groups of enemies to the shelter will allow the opportunity to toss a Grenade or fire a Mini Nuke into the air before closing the shelter door to shield from the subsequent explosion, damaging everything outside. Because of the small nature of the booth, drawing large enemies such as Super Mutants into the shelter can be an effective strategy. The booth is too small for them to hit anything, and so they are vulnerable to attack.

Shelter locations and contents
There are a total of 20 Pulowski Preservation Shelters located throughout the Capital Wasteland, including "The Box" at Paradise Falls and one in Point Lookout (Whether this one is canon is worth debate).


 * Arlington Cemetery South: Contains a mannequin, two Shot Glasses, Sexy Sleepwear, and Wine.
 * Arlington Library: Contains a skeleton with 10mm Pistol, two clips 10mm Rounds, and Guns and Bullets.
 * Chevy Chase: Contains one skeleton.
 * Chevy Chase Metro: One Frag Mine in front of hatch, contains three Purified Water, Lead Pipe and a Teddy Bear.
 * Dupont Circle: Contains two skeletons, Stimpack, Vault-Tec Lunchbox, and .32 Pistol. It is possible that a parent and their child were in this shelter.
 * Falls Church: Contains ammo box of .32 Caliber Rounds, ammo box of 5mm Rounds, and two Dirty Waters.
 * Flooded Metro: Contains one skeleton, Chinese Army: Special Ops Training Manual, a Pulse Grenade and two Stimpacks. A Chinese Remnant possibly occupied this shelter.
 * Georgetown car park: Empty
 * Georgetown West: Contains five Beers, three Cherry Bombs, Fancy Lads Snack Cakes, Nuka-Cola Quantum, Railway Spikes, and Sugar Bombs.
 * Grayditch: Contains Bryan Wilks during Those! quest.
 * Hubris Comics HQ: Contains Conductor, Dean's Electronics, Hammer, Motorcycle Gas Tank, two Wrenches. A mechanic possibly occupied this shelter.
 * L'Enfant West: Contains a skeleton, Big Book of Science, Wine, and a pair of Eyeglasses.
 * Paradise Falls: Converted into "The Box" for confinement, contains Rory Maclaren.
 * Pennsylvania Avenue, east of Metro: Contains a deactivated Protectron and ammo box of Small Energy Cell.
 * South of Rivet City: Empty
 * Takoma Park: Contains a recently dead Wastelander with random chems and Bobby Pins, ammo box with random ammo.
 * The Capitol Building, outside the east exit: Contains a briefcase, Lying, Congressional Style, and four Pre-War Money. Due to its location and what is inside, it is obvious that a Senator or Representative occupied this one.
 * Vernon Square: Contains a skeleton, Radiation Suit, and Rad-X. A scientist possibly occupied this, or a well-supplied citizen.
 * One unreachable shelter glimpsed from the intro movie (the set for which is actually built in-game) but is empty.


 * There is also one located in Point Lookout, located in the Boardwalk area, containing the NPC The Brain which serves as the body for Professor Calvert. It cannot be opened and can only be reached with console or through strategic jumping. As such, it might not be considered canon. (see page for more info).

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