How should a ground ladder be placed for window rescue in terms of angle and overlap above the sill?

• A. Set at about a 75-degree angle (roughly 4:1) with at least 3 rungs (about 1 meter) of ladder above the window sill
• B. Set at a 30-degree angle with no overlap
• C. Set horizontally at window height
• D. Set at 90-degree angle with 6 feet above sill

Answer: (A)

Ground ladders for window rescue are positioned at a safe climbing angle and must extend above the opening to give a secure handhold and a clear route into the window. The recommended setup is about a 75-degree angle, which corresponds to roughly a 4:1 ratio of distance out to height up the wall. This angle provides stability so the ladder won’t slide or tip during ascent or rescue operations. In addition, the ladder should protrude above the window sill by several rungs—at least three rungs, about a meter—so the firefighter has a solid grip and a smooth transition from the window to the ladder. The other options either place the ladder too vertically or too shallowly, or fail to provide the necessary overlap above the sill, making rescue work unsafe.