Decontamination corridors are established at what point in the incident timeline?

Decontamination corridors are established at what point in the incident timeline?

• A. After hot zone cleared
• B. After all patients treated
• C. After incident declared over
• D. Before personnel begin working in the hot zone

Answer: (D)

Decontamination corridors are set up at the transition from clean areas to the contaminated hot zone so that anyone entering or leaving the hot zone can pass through a controlled decon process. Establishing this corridor before personnel begin work in the hot zone ensures contaminants are removed from skin, clothing, and equipment before they move into less contaminated areas, preventing cross-contamination and protecting responders and the public. If the decon setup were delayed until after the hot zone is already in use or after other actions are finished, the spread of contaminants could occur and proper protection would be compromised.

Decontamination corridors are set up at the transition from clean areas to the contaminated hot zone so that anyone entering or leaving the hot zone can pass through a controlled decon process. Establishing this corridor before personnel begin work in the hot zone ensures contaminants are removed from skin, clothing, and equipment before they move into less contaminated areas, preventing cross-contamination and protecting responders and the public. If the decon setup were delayed until after the hot zone is already in use or after other actions are finished, the spread of contaminants could occur and proper protection would be compromised.