What is the "Cold Zone" also referred to as in hazardous materials incidents?

The "Cold Zone" in hazardous materials incidents is often referred to as the Support Zone. This area is crucial for operational efficiency and safety. In this zone, personnel support activities take place, such as staging equipment, providing medical support, and coordinating logistics without the risk of contamination from the hazardous materials present in the other zones.

The Cold Zone is positioned away from the areas of potential contamination and risk, allowing responders to operate safely while managing the situation. It serves as a buffer zone that enables the effective deployment of resources needed for incident management. By ensuring that responders are adequately supported in the Cold Zone, the overall safety and effectiveness of the operations can be maintained without direct exposure to hazardous agents.

While other terms like Contamination Reduction Zone, Exclusion Zone, and Safety Zone are important to understand in the context of hazardous materials incidents, they serve different functions and refer to areas associated with contamination and exposure risks, rather than the supportive and operational nature of the Cold Zone.