Basic Level Pre-Course Reading

Chapter 5
Control the Situation
should be 100 metres. If the source of the contamination is outside, a distance of 900
metres from the source of contamination is a required minimum. This distance should
be stretched in the downwind direction according to the strength of the wind and
extended beyond the reach of visible drifting contamination (smoke, fog, or a plume).
These worst case scenario distances can be adjusted as the identity and the quantity of
the agent are established.
A second boundary called the Outer (security) Perimeter should be established at a
greater distance to restrict public access and provide a secure working area for all
responders.
Specialists and technicians will establish more formal hazard zones. They will divide
contaminated scenes into three areas designated the “HOT–WARM–COLD” zones.
These areas are drawn out at increasing distances from the source of contamination.
Tools like portable meteorology stations and agent detection instruments will assist in
establishing these more precise boundaries. The zones are important to safety. They
help define protective equipment requirements and identify where tasks, such as
handling casualties and performing decontamination, will take place. These zones must
be flexible and respond to changes in weather patterns or changes at the source of the
hazard. The Hazard Zones may be similar to the perimeters that were laid out originally.
• The HOT Zone is the area where the contaminant concentration is deemed to be
sufficient to cause death or injury to unprotected personnel or responders employing
inappropriate PPE. The pre-decontamination area is located at the designated exit
area of the Hot Zone.
• The WARM Zone is the area where decontamination of personnel and equipment
occurs. The Warm Zone is critical as it contains control points that prevent the
movement of contaminated casualties and equipment into the Cold Zone. The Warm
Zone is also a staging area for equipment required in support of Hot Zone activities.
The main decontamination facility is located at the egress point of the Warm Zone.
• The COLD zone is a designated clean area with controlled access where the
command centre and other key administrative (e.g., decontaminated casualty
control) and logistical (e.g., transport) support areas are located.
CBRN First Responder Training Program
45
Basic Level Course