Ready to scream?

The Brooklyn Avenue Firehouse is getting a makeover — a decidedly scary one. Members of the Valley Stream Fire Department are nearing completion of the second annual haunted house, which opens next weekend and runs through the end of October.

“If people did come and enjoy it last year, it’s going to be an even better experience this year,” said committee Chairman Steve Acquavella. “The rooms are a little bit cooler this year — scarier.” Firefighters estimate that as many as 12,000 people toured the attraction last year.

Or almost 12,000. Firefighter Andrew Schmer said that 300 or so failed to summon the courage to make it all the way through. His colleagues keep a tally on one of the doors of how many people run out in fear before reaching the end. “We have exits all around, just in case,” Schmer said.

He added that the 10- to 15-minute trip through the haunted house will feature aliens, clowns, villains, goblins and more. But precisely where these creatures will be, no one will know until they walk — or run — through it. There will also be more than a dozen firefighters inside in costume at any given time, ready to pop out and give visitors a scare. “We’re trying to get to everyone’s basic fears,” Schmer said.

Guests who scare easily will have a less frightening option: They can make their way through without fear of the actors coming after them. Schmer said that many of the visitors who ran out in fear last year chose the non-scare option and went back through. “They wanted to see what the whole inside looked like,” he said.

Of course, he said, he hopes most people choose to go through without knowing what lies ahead. “The actors really are what make the haunted house work for us,” Schmer said.

Acquavella explained that the fire department bought a lot of the scary figures, but also received numerous donations. One Cornwell Avenue resident who used to do a big display at his home gave his decorations to the department.

Planning for the haunted house has been under way since April. Schmer said that the department made so many changes to the original plan while building last year’s haunted house that there was no formal sketch this year. The planners just thought about the different rooms and effects they wanted, and eventually it started coming together.

Once visitors make their way through the house, they can visit the photo booth outside — where the scary surprises will continue, because they will be joined by another actor in costume. “Last year he was an executioner,” Acquavella said.

Former department Chief Brian Howley said that their work in the haunted house will not distract firefighters from their primary duties. “We always have a full complement in case there is a fire or emergency,” Howley said.

The Halloween attraction has actually helped increase the department’s crew of volunteers. Schmer said that last year, a few people who visited inquired about becoming firefighters.

Howley said that in the down economy, the fire department’s fund drive has taken a hit in recent years. Money raised from the haunted house will pay for new equipment. The cost of admission will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Though the Brooklyn Avenue Firehouse is the station for Engine Company No. 2, firefighters from across the department come out to help build and staff the haunted house. “A lot of thought goes into it, a lot of man hours ... and quite a few sick minds,” Howley said.

Last year, Acquavella said, guests came from as far away as New Jersey and upstate New York. The organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year. “If you like being scared and you’re into Halloween, this is the place to be,” Acquavella said. “I promise you, you will be scared.”