'Make A Wish' Lets 8-Year-Old Boy Step Into Emergency Responders' Shoes For A Day

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An 8-year-old boy battling a rare disease saw his dream come true when he flew into Los Angeles from Vermont.

The Make A Wish Foundation gave Noah Cohen the opportunity to spend the day with emergency first responders.

The boy got a hero's welcome as a fire truck transported him to LAX, where deputies, airport police and firefighters let him walk in their shoes for a day.

Noah Cohen's parents say he's always been obsessed with police, ambulances and firefighters. Watching the hit '70s TV show "Emergency!" got him wondering what it would be like to meet emergency responders in L.A., where the show was filmed.

"It's a great experience. This guy has been smiling the whole time," the boy's father said.

Cohen was born with VACTERL association, a rare condition which prevents his organs from functioning.

He's underwent 24 surgeries thus far.

"It's incredibly emotional," his mother Amy Cohen told CBS2/KCAL9's Rachel Kim. "Noah is a great kid and he's gone through a lot so it's pretty moving to just see so much preparation and attention and anticipation just based on the things that he really loves."

Sheriff's deputies dressed Cohen in one of their bulletproof vests and helmet.

"How does it feel Noah?" Kim said.

"Yup, great!" he replied.

LAX police showed the boy the skills of their K-9 "Whiskey."

Then, Cohen got a tour of an armored SWAT vehicle.

He changed hats and became a firefighter. He was visibly thrilled that he got to turn on the truck's siren.

The last part of his experience had him step into an ambulance where a paramedic hooked him up to a heart monitor. And if it could measure joy, it would have been clear that Noah's readings were off the charts.

He made sure to tell Kim about his day: "I just love it!"