Emergency response personnel are wearing gowns, gloves, goggles, and masks. In w

1 -- The site of the disaster where a weapon was released or where the contamination occurred is called the hot zone. It is considered contaminated and only those persons in the appropriate personal protective equipment may enter this zone. This equipment is used for the protection of personnel and includes gloves, masks, goggles, gowns, and biologic disposal bags. The warm zone is adjacent to the hot zone. This area is where decontamination of victims or triage and emergency treatment take place. The level of personal protective equipment required is based on the dynamic risk assessment of the threat and agent involved. The cold zone is considered to be the safe zone. It is adjacent to the warm zone and is the area where a more in-depth triage of victims would occur. Personal protective equipment needs are minimal in this zone. There is not a yellow decontamination zone.