It doesn't take a lot of effort to notice the holiday lights on several Waukesha fire stations.

Station No. 5 on Summit Avenue on the west side of Waukesha swapped out the white accent lights with green and red bulbs. The lights reflecting on the snow bring a festive look to the fire station.

Fire Station No. 1 has colorful lights wrapped around the parking lot poles and the station's outdoor sign. Then bright, bold and blinking, the front lobby has flashing Christmas lights.

Station No. 2 also got in the game with colorful lights facing Highway 18 and Highway 164.

"I think the decorations provide the opportunity for some fun-loving, holiday spirit," said Battalion Chief Joseph Hoffman, who works out of Fire Station No. 1.

The holiday decorations bring a little extra cheer to the area this winter.

"We are just another member of the neighborhood," Hoffman said. "We are providing ambiance for the neighborhood."

Community members have told Fire Chief Allen LaConte they like the decorations. But not everyone knows the story behind the festive lights.

"I just thought that it would be nice if we had the competition between the stations, competing for the holidays," LaConte explained.

Competition is always a part of fire departments, and Waukesha is no exception. The five fire stations competed against each other in a holiday decoration contest. The firefighters purchased the decorations with their own money or brought in decorations they had at home to spruce up the stations.

The winners of the best-decorated station will receive a free dinner from the fire chief. LaConte is providing a meal to all three shifts at the winning station – out of his own pocket.

"It is really just the whole competition thing and getting everyone into the Christmas spirit," LaConte said. "And also, the public can see it."

LaConte said he sent a memo to the fire stations with general guidelines, including to not drill holes when hanging the lights.

The competition has worked out, LaConte said, with some of the stations trying to outdo each other.

"It has been received well, I think," LaConte said.