By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

The sounds of horns tooting and sirens blaring were common Friday morning at Centre as groups of children were guided through demonstrations from safety responders.

High school students accompanied younger students as they went from station to station exploring fire trucks, ambulances, sheriff’s vehicles, and a LifeWatch helicopter.

The whole student body began the morning gathered in front of the school to watch as the helicopter flew in and landed on the parking lot.

Fire trucks from Lost Springs, Tampa, Ramona, Lincolnville, and Burdick were already on hand, as well as two county ambulances and two sheriff’s vehicles.

Children climbed in, out, and on top of fire trucks.

“Can I wear your helmet?” a little boy asked a firefighter.

Soon all were taking turns putting it on.

One boy climbed up and looked into the bed of a fire truck.

“I saw a hot tub in there,” he said.

The three-man helicopter crew let kids climb into the back seats and sit in the front seat behind the control stick. Students were told the helicopter could fly to Wichita in about 20 minutes.

Ambulance personnel explained how they prepare patients for transportation.

Students appeared fascinated as the county K9 officer showed them how he trains and uses the dog.

Lincolnville Fire Chief Lester Kaiser spoke to middle school students about fire safety at home, such as using smoke detectors, having an escape plan, and knowing how to deal with a grease fire in the kitchen.

The children obviously enjoyed spending the morning outside.

Second-grader Brady Idleman said he liked the demonstration with the K9 dog.