In hostage barricade procedures, which perimeter is described as a sterile zone cleared of all civilians and non-essential personnel?

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In hostage barricade procedures, zones around the scene are arranged to control access and reduce risk. The sterile zone is the area immediately surrounding the incident where only essential personnel operate, with all civilians and non-essential staff kept out to prevent interference and protect both hostages and responders. This is the inner perimeter—the ring closest to the scene that focuses on control, communication, and safety. The outer perimeter is for keeping the public at a distance, the media perimeter isolates press access, and front-line perimeter isn’t the designation used for the sterile zone. So the perimeter described as a sterile zone cleared of all civilians and non-essential personnel is the inner perimeter.