Where are vehicles and equipment staged during an incident?

• A. Cold zone
• B. Hot zone
• C. Warm zone
• D. Control zone

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that incident scenes are divided into areas to keep people and gear safe while staying ready to respond. The hot zone is where the danger is, so it isn’t where equipment should be kept. The warm zone sits between the hot area and the safe work space, mainly for decontamination and transition. The cold zone is the safe area where support functions happen, including the staging of vehicles and equipment. Keeping assets in the cold zone protects them from the hazard and prevents interference with treatment and decon operations, while still allowing a quick push into action when needed. The term control zone refers to the larger, controlled perimeter around the incident, which encompasses the cold, warm, and hot zones, but staging specifically occurs in the cold zone.