During which phase of an active shooter incident is the cold zone's action identified and staging areas established?

The correct answer for when the cold zone's action is identified and staging areas are established during an active shooter incident is during the incident phase. This phase is critical for determining the immediate response strategies following the onset of the active shooter situation.

During the incident phase, responders assess the situation and begin to organize their efforts to manage the scene effectively. This includes establishing a cold zone, which is a safe area away from the immediate threat where personnel, resources, and command structures can be set up. Staging areas allow for efficient deployment of resources and coordination between various response agencies, ensuring everyone is prepared and tasks are appropriately assigned.

This preparation is essential to maintain safety for all responders as they work to mitigate the situation and provide assistance where needed. The cold zone is a strategic aspect of incident management, providing a secure environment for responders to organize before entering potentially hazardous areas.