In the cold zone, what is typically contained?

The cold zone is specifically designated as a safe area at an incident site where personnel can operate without the immediate dangers present in the hot and warm zones. This zone typically contains vehicles and equipment staging areas, where response teams can assemble their tools, resources, and vehicles necessary for operations. Having the staging area in the cold zone allows for better organization and ensures that equipment can be deployed quickly when needed while keeping it away from potential hazards.

In contrast, command posts and medical treatment areas are also essential components of the incident management system, but they are not what typically defines the cold zone in terms of staging operations. Rescue and entry teams are often found in the warm or hot zones, where they are actively engaged in operations, and emergency personnel may be present in both warm and hot zones depending on their function during the incident. Therefore, the presence of vehicles and equipment staging is a defining feature of the cold zone.