For EPDS, how are personnel distributed between warm and cold zones?

• A. 2 warm, 4 cold
• B. 4 warm, 2 cold
• C. 3 warm, 3 cold
• D. 5 warm, 1 cold

Answer: (A)

In EPDS operations, safety hinges on keeping most personnel in the cold zone where exposure risk is minimized, while reserving a small team for the warm zone to manage entry control and decontamination tasks. Two people in the warm zone are typically sufficient to handle access control, monitor for any changes, and lead decon operations, ensuring the hazard is contained and responders are not unnecessarily exposed. The remaining four personnel stay in the cold zone to manage communications, supervision, logistics, monitoring, and support functions, which provides robust coverage without increasing risk in the warmer area. This arrangement balances proactive control of the hazard with efficient support, which is why the distribution with fewer people in the warm zone and more in the cold zone is standard.