HOT ZONE EMS

Ditch the "zone" paradigm during an active shooter call. 

The popular debate right now in EMS groups is whether or not medics should be in the "warm zone" during active shooter events. 

The question wrongly implies we were in the "cold zone" to start. 

Yesterday, suspects fled their massacre in cars. These suspects could have driven straight up to an ambulance, exited their vehicle and shook hands with the closest medic. 

Medic friends, if you are staging for an active shooter event, assume you are in the hot zone.

You might be out of line of site of the building where the slaughter began, but we are talking about humans with legs and cars. This is not HAZ-MAT spilled on the ground.

Cold zone, warm zone, hot zone is for stationary threats. For example:

Now, point to the cold zone on this map:

In active shooter events, we should assume we are in danger. Have situational awareness, don a ballistics vest, stand near your engine block and be prepared to take cover. Do not assume you are in the cold zone.

We need different language for these calls because the nature of the threat is clearly different than a known stationary hazard.

HAZ-MAT follows rules of physics.

Humans, unfortunately, do not.

Stand by for more.