What is a function typically performed in the cold zone?

The cold zone serves as a safe area on the incident scene where personnel can operate with minimal risk from hazards present in the hot zone. It is distinct from zones that involve direct risk, such as the hot and warm zones, and is designed to be free of hazardous materials.

Personnel staging is a critical function performed in the cold zone. In this area, resources, equipment, and personnel are organized and prepared for deployment as needed. This allows incident command to efficiently manage resources and ensure that responders can quickly access what they need to assist in mitigation and recovery efforts. The cold zone provides a vital space for responders to gather, review safety protocols, and prepare for their roles in the incident without exposure to harmful elements.

While decontamination, incident command, and emergency response planning are also crucial aspects of hazardous materials incidents, they typically occur in other zones or during different stages of the response process. For example, decontamination efforts usually take place in the warm zone, where individuals can be safely decontaminated before entering the cold zone.