Sirens, smoke and even a “cow cannon” greeted families Saturday at Monroe County Emergency Management’s Public Safety Day, where more than 50 booths and exhibits gave residents a hands-on look at local emergency services.

Inside and outside the building, visitors met firefighters, police officers, cyber security experts, the Pennsylvania Search and Recovery Rescue Team, the Salvation Army, and representatives from Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services.

At the heart of the event was the Monroe County Control Center, better known as the “911 center.” Carissa Frantz, co-chair of 911 education and dispatch, said, “We take all 911 Fire and EMS calls. State police calls are transferred to their own dispatcher.”

She noted that five to eight dispatchers and a supervisor staff the center around the clock, while also providing public education in schools and the community.

The most popular stop for kids was a “smoke” filled room, where firefighters demonstrated rescues. Outside, crews showed how they put out dumpster, car, tank and even tree fires.

Chick-fil-A’s “cow cannon” shot toys — parachutes and stuffed animals — into the cheering crowd.

Aaron Lombard from Environmental & Public Health Services explained its role in “vector control,” or stopping the spread of diseases carried by organisms like ticks.

“We prevent the transmission of diseases. We are a public health pest control service,” he said.

Volunteers from the Salvation Army also described their mission.

“We’re the ones wearing red vests and helmets to provide coffee and sandwiches with our mobile kitchen, locally and for national disasters, such as 9/11 and Katrina,” said Ronald Leah, who has served with the organization since 1982.

From hands-on rescues to lessons in public health, the event gave residents of all ages a closer look at the services that keep Monroe County safe.