What distinguishes a hot zone from a cold zone at a USAR site?

• A. Hot zone contains hazards and is restricted; cold zone is controlled, safe, and used for staging, medical, and administration.
• B. Hot zone is where medical care happens; cold zone is where search happens.
• C. They are the same; no distinction.
• D. Cold zone is where hazards are highest and access is prohibited.

Answer: (A)

At a USAR site, zones are defined by hazard level and who may enter. The hot zone contains the immediate hazards and is restricted to trained personnel with proper PPE; access is limited because the risk is high. The cold zone is kept safe and controlled, and it’s where support functions like staging, medical care, and administration take place. The other options mix up where activities occur or claim there’s no difference, which isn’t how incident zones are managed.