Libertyville kindergartners enjoy view from atop fire engine

Kindergartners at Butterfield School in Libertyville were giddy Thursday over the chance to ride on a fire engine.

The annual ride at the school is a way for the Libertyville Fire Department to promote Fire Prevention Week, which this year runs Oct. 4-10.

Kindergartners rode around the neighborhood on a vintage 1946 American LaFrance fire engine for about 20 minutes.

"When they tell you that it's the best ride ever, it makes you feel good," said Lt. Jeff Schmidt of the Libertyville Fire Department.

Schmidt was joined by Fire Inspector Kurt Sorby on the ride, during which kids got a chance to ring the bell and wave to everyone they passed.

It's been well over 20 years that the Libertyville Fire Department has been giving rides to the kindergarten classes, Schmidt said.

"A lot of their brothers and sisters have all gone before them and they go home and talk about it and bring back good memories," he said.

The fire department will be visiting schools again to present the program "Risk Watch" to teach students fire safety. This year's theme is "Hear the Beep Where You Sleep."