What is the purpose of the warm zone?

• A. The buffer between the hot and cold zones.
• B. The innermost area near the hazard.
• C. The outermost area for public viewing.
• D. The primary area where responders work without PPE.

Answer: (A)

The warm zone is the buffer between the areas of highest hazard and the clean, uncontaminated area. Its purpose is to host decontamination activities and PPE doffing, and to serve as a staging area for contaminated gear and personnel as they move from the hot zone (where the hazard is present) to the cold zone (the clean area). This separation helps prevent contaminant spread into the cold zone and protects responders and bystanders. In practice, responders pass from the hot zone into the warm zone to remove or decontaminate PPE and personnel, then proceed to the cold zone once decontamination is complete. The warm zone is not where the hazard is most intense, nor a public viewing area, nor a place to work without PPE.