News File Photo Alpena Fire Department vehicles wait outside a bay at the Alpena Public Safety Building.

ALPENA — Seniors will get a chance to see the inner workings of the Alpena Public Safety Building on Wednesday.

The fall open house will be held in two different sessions — 10 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 3 p.m.

“We’re going to do blood sugar checks, we’ll put you on a heart monitor and we’ll look at your heart,” Community Risk Reduction Officer Andy Marceau said.

Attendees will be able to meet their Emergency Medical Services crew, see the inside of an ambulance, and more.

“If you’re 65 and older and you have a fall, we’re going to be putting a yellow C collar on you,” Marceau said, referring to what is also known as a neck brace. “I want people to know what that looks like … it’s just a standard protocol that we do.”

He explained what happens if a person falls.

“If you have a fall, you can call us,” Marceau said. “It doesn’t mean you have to go to the hospital.”

At the open house, stations will be set up in the ambulance bay for the first hour of each session.

“And then, at 11 o’clock in our classroom, I’m going to be teaching a program called ‘Remembering When — Fire and Fall Hazard for the Elderly,'” he said. “It’s a great programs. There are eight initiatives for fall, and eight initiatives for fire. I’m going to have some handouts so you can go home, and see if your home is secure.”

He said the presentation will go over possible trip and fall hazards within your home, as well as checking whether or not your home has working smoke detectors, etc.

“We’re trying to hit different groups, and it’s really open to anybody,” Marceau said of the sessions. “I want them to see our station. I want them to not be scared of us. We’re all here to help you. We love what we do.”

Alpena Senior Citizens Center Program Manager BJ Sander said it’s important to make those connections with the people who may show up to help you in an emergency situation.

“How great is that to be able to meet you guys,” she said to Marceau, “and then, in the future, if they need you in an emergency, they’ll go, ‘Oh, I remember you!’ I think it will make people feel more comfortable.”

Refreshments will be served at the event. The Public Safety Building is located at 501 W. Chisholm St. If you are at the senior center, you walk out the front door and the public safety building is across the street. Questions? Call the senior center at 989-356-3585.