FERRIDAY — The only requirement for free health services is a call to Ferriday’s Town Hall.

Mayor Gene Allen encouraged local residents to begin signing up for the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness training at a the Town Council meeting Tuesday.

The training will take place at Central Louisiana Technical Community College and provide free medical, veterinary, dental and optical services to anyone interested from Aug. 8-16.

Medical services include blood pressure, heart health and diabetes testing. Veterinary services will include dental exams, fluoride application and sealant. Optical services will include color screening and glasses repair, a service Alderman Johnnie Brown was particularly excited about.

Allen said anyone, regardless of income level, could sign up by calling Ferriday Town Hall and reserving a slot.

Allen also plans to attend the Innovative Readiness Training and encouraged Ferriday residents in attendance to attend.

“We don’t want them to be overwhelmed by patients, so we need you to call Town Hall and schedule an appointment, if you are interested,” he said.

“This is one of the best things to happen to Ferriday in a long time,” Allen said.

Allen said the program would be especially useful for students who require physicals to play sports.

During the meeting, Brown also encouraged Police Chief Richard Madison to remind his officers that liquor sales end at 2 a.m. in Louisiana.

“Ferriday residents have been complaining to me about disturbances after 2 a.m.,” he said. “I believe it is because bars are staying open too late. If you haven’t had enough by 2 a.m., then you probably have some other problems.”