We try to decorate our truck and drive around the Village of Depew New York every year. This year the Lancaster Village held a fire truck parade with all the trucks decorated. It was a neat event. The different trucks and displays were cool and the people loved it. I lost count of how many people came up to me after the parade and said thanx for doing this and all we did was participate. The whole idea was wonderful and great PR. I am glad someone thought of this.
The other thing I should mention is we hung the lights in such a way that with the exception of the cross lays (we would of had to cut the lights after we shut off the power) we could access everything on the truck and remain in service. Also the lights were synced to music.
The department I was with about a year ago, did put lights on the ladder truck but I don't recall them doing that this year. As a matter of fact I don't recall them even doing a "Santa" run this year.
The current department I am with does not put lights on their trucks.