What designates the warm zone in an active shooter incident?

The warm zone in an active shooter incident is specifically designated as the location identified for contact teams to conduct rescues under the protection of law enforcement. This area is not entirely free of threat; instead, it serves as a transitional space where medical and rescue operations can occur while still providing a degree of security.

In this zone, law enforcement has established a perimeter that allows for a controlled response, enabling trained personnel to enter and address victims who require immediate medical attention, assuming the threat has been neutralized or is manageable. The warm zone is critical because it balances the need to assist victims with the ongoing risk posed by the active shooter incident, ensuring that responders can operate effectively without exposing themselves or victims to unnecessary danger.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the characteristics of a warm zone. An area lacking any threat and fully secured by law enforcement typically refers to a "cold zone," where the danger has been eliminated, and full emergency services can operate without concern. A location where victims are treated with full emergency response aligns more with the cold zone or might describe a triage area, while an area strictly controlled by incident command implies limited access for emergency response, differentiating it from the supportive role of the warm zone.