Rural Metro Giveaway Offers Fire Truck Ride in Parade of Lights

Rural Metro Fire used its Facebook page on December 10 to launch a holiday giveaway that invited residents to like and follow the agency for a chance to win a ride for two on a fire truck during the Yuma Foothills Parade of Lights. The agency said it will name the winner on December 15, leaving a narrow window for entrants and for organizers to finalize parade logistics ahead of the three day celebration scheduled December 19 through December 21.

Parade organizers are also accepting entries for floats and vehicles, and they require separate registration from the giveaway. The announcement positions Rural Metro as an active community partner in local festivities, while also raising logistical questions about crowd management, emergency access and equitable access to promotional opportunities.

For Yuma County residents the giveaway is both an invitation and a reminder. The parade draws families and visitors to local neighborhoods, and it brings increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic that can affect commute times, parking and emergency response routes. Public health considerations are part of that picture. Large gatherings increase the potential for the spread of respiratory illness, and they demand visible support from emergency services for crowd safety and rapid medical response.

The giveaway format highlights a broader equity issue in community engagement. By limiting entry to people who like and follow a Facebook page, the promotion excludes residents without reliable internet access, those who do not use social media and older adults who are less likely to participate online. Community outreach by public safety agencies can be most effective when it includes low tech alternatives, language access and clear information about safety accommodations.

As the parade approaches, residents should expect street closures and heavier foot traffic in the Yuma Foothills area and plan travel accordingly. Those interested in entering a vehicle or float must complete separate registration with parade organizers. Rural Metro will announce the giveaway winner on December 15, and the agency and parade organizers will proceed with preparations for the December 19 through December 21 festivities.