Kindergartners from Libertyville school go on the ride of their lives

Kindergarten students at Adler Park School got a special treat recently when they got the chance to ride the Libertyville Fire Department's antique fire engine around Libertyville neighborhoods.

Libertyville Fire Inspector John Rasmussen explained that the fire department is visiting all of the village elementary schools to let kindergartners ride the 1946 American LaFrance Invader as a way to promote Fire Prevention Week in October.

"Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" is the official theme for the week, which runs Oct. 3-9.

Rasmussen and firefighter Justin Hubbard arrived at the school on the fire engine on Monday morning. Then came the fun as the kindergartners from Amy Reichert's class jumped on board to ride down neighborhood streets, waving and laughing as the bell rang.

"It was kind of cool," 6-year-old Noah Scally said with a smile after riding in the back of the fire engine with his classmates. "I liked it. I saw my neighborhood and where my friend lives."

"Before we went on the firetruck, we read a story about firefighters," Reichert said. "The children were really excited about coming to school today and going on the firetruck ride. The firefighters made sure the kids were safe on the truck. They got to hear the siren and ring the bell, and the interaction was great."