What zone is designated for entry teams and rescue teams?

The designation of the hot zone is specifically reserved for areas that pose immediate danger to personnel and require strict access control. This zone is typically where the most hazardous conditions exist, such as chemical spills, active fire, or other environmental threats. Entry teams and rescue teams operate in this zone because they are trained and equipped to handle dangerous situations while undertaking rescues or critical operations.

In contrast, the cold zone is a safe area for support teams and unprotected personnel, where there is no immediate threat. The warm zone serves as a buffer between the cold zone and the hot zone, allowing for equipment decontamination and providing a staging area for personnel before they enter the hot zone. A staging zone typically refers to a location where resources and personnel can be monitored and prepared for deployment, but it does not specifically designate an area for operations like the hot zone does. Hence, it is the hot zone that is crucial for entry and rescue operations due to its direct involvement with immediate rescues in life-threatening situations.