What should be attached to the tip of the ladder to enhance visibility in smoky or dark conditions?

Attaching white or reflective tape to the tip of the ladder significantly enhances visibility in smoky or dark conditions, which is essential for firefighter safety and effective operations. The reflective properties of the tape allow it to capture and bounce back light, making it easier for firefighters to see the ladder against low visibility backgrounds such as smoke or darkness. This visibility is crucial during firefighting operations, where quick access and exit from elevated positions is needed, and where disorientation can occur in challenging environments.

The other options, while they may have their own merits, do not provide the same effectiveness in improving visibility as reflective tape. Fluorescent paint, for example, may be visible in certain lighting conditions but does not perform as well in the absence of a light source. Similarly, while LED lights can enhance visibility, their practicality in terms of battery life and mounting can be problematic during operations. Red tape may stand out to some extent, but it lacks the reflective quality that is most beneficial in dark or smoky situations.