Cordons

Question 1

What are the benefits of an effective cordon?

Answer 1

1. To separate those at risk, including fire service personnel, from the hazard.
2. To facilitate the operations of the emergency services.
3. To protect the scene and to prevent unauthorised access to evidence or property

Question 2

What are the 3 types of cordon that are used on the incident ground?

Answer 2

1. The inner cordon is established around the immediate scene of operations in order to restrict or even to exclude access to an area of hazard.
2. The outer cordon is generally wider, separating the public from areas used by the Emergency Services for support activities.
3. The traffic cordon is set up by the police at or beyond the outer cordon to prevent unauthorised vehicle access to the surrounding area.

Question 3

What should the size of the inner cordon be?

Answer 3

It should be large enough to contain:

1. The hazard zone, considering the potential of the incident to escalate.
2. The personnel and equipment involved at the scene of operations.

Question 4

Who can to approve entry into the inner cordon?

Answer 4

The incident commander or nominated officer

Question 5

What potential control measures could be applied which may negate the need to estblish a cordon?

Answer 5

1. The removal of the hazard.
2. An IC monitoring an area of risk.
3. Designating specific personnel to monitor an area of risk.

Question 6

What two tools are available to help identify the actual position of the cordon and where the most suitable points for access and egress are?

Answer 6

1. Atlas and acetate: Each Brigade atlas should have a clear acetate overlay, identifying a range of cordon sizes. These are designed for use at cylinder incidents.
2. Command Support System (CSS): The operators on the Command Units have access to the computer-based CSS, which is able to plot scaled cordons onto maps. These can then be printed for reference and to assist briefings.

Question 7

When will the responsibility of the safety management of all emergency service personnel within the inner cordon end for LFB?

Answer 7

This function will end when the brigade no longer has a prime role at the incident, at which time responsibility will be handed over to the police.

Question 8

At major incidents define the term Hot Zone?

Answer 8

Hot zone - The area where gross contamination, if present, will occur and is the area of greatest risk.

Question 9

At major incidents define the term Warm Zone?

Answer 9

The area surrounding the hot zone where a risk of cross contamination may occur. Gross contamination, if present, should be removed within this zone.

Question 10

At major incidents define the term Cold Zone?

Answer 10

The area outside the inner cordon and between the warm zone and the outer cordon. No exposure to contaminants, or risk from, is expected.