Cape Girardeau's newest city official, Fire Chief Robert Ridgeway, has closely scrutinized the city since he first heard there was an opening for fire chief.

Whether it's the city administrative staff, the local economy, the condition of neighborhoods and schools, or simply the friendly hello from strangers in the supermarket, Ridgeway comes to the same conclusion: "I think in every category, Cape Girardeau passed with flying colors," he said.

Ridgeway was in town for a planning session Thursday and Friday for city department heads. He said it was a good opportunity to "get to know" the city staff.

"It's been really a very good opportunity to sit there with other department heads to get to know them personally, not only professionally, but socially," he said.

Ridgeway said he was given an overview of how the city operates and he's "very, very impressed with the management team.

"They put personal differences aside and work together for the good of the city," he added. "It's a top-notch operation."

When Ridgeway was offered the fire chief position, he and his family considered everything from the city's financial health to its school system before deciding to accept the post.

"I consider myself very fortunate. I was the right guy in the right place at the right time," he said. "At the time this position opened I was working and I could afford to be choosy. We really looked for an ideal community, and this city is it for us.

"Are there challenges? Yeah, there are challenges, but the experience and professionalism of the management team tells me that we can take those head on."

Ridgeway is the first fire chief in Cape Girardeau hired from outside the department. A 30-year veteran firefighter, he most recently has been fire chief of the Mashpee Fire Department in Mashpee, Mass., near Cape Cod.

Ridgeway is a graduate candidate of the University of New Haven (Connecticut) with a master's degree in fire science and technology. He received his bachelor's degree in fire science management from the University of Maryland.

He's also a graduate of the National Fire Service Academy at Emmitsburg, Md., and has taught courses at the academy in the past as a member of the faculty.

Ridgeway said he's already met with groups of firefighters in Cape Girardeau.

"I think they're as excited as I am. If anything, they're sitting back and waiting and saying, `show me; perform,'" he said.

"I think they want someone who will come in, look out for them and make the changes that need to be made to bring this department into the year 2000."

Ridgeway praised the facilities, equipment and men in the Cape Girardeau Fire Department. He said it's important for him to get the firefighters involved with the management process.

"I can sit here with the greatest ideas since sliced bread, but the guys out there are going to put them into practice and they need to be involved in the process," he said.

Ridgeway said the first thing he wants to accomplish as fire chief is to contribute as quickly as possible to the city administrative team. He said he also wants to review the five-year capital improvements plan with respect to equipment and resources.

"I think the resources here have been adequate," he said. "I'd like to have more, but I don't think there's a department head anywhere that doesn't want more.

"One thing is we need to do something with the capital budget, particularly with respect to equipment and vehicles."

Ridgeway said he supports the contention from city administrators that a transportation tax is needed to help free up general revenue for capital investment.

"Capital budgets historically get sacrificed to some extent for the operating budget," he said.

For example, he said the fire department has three utility vehicles that need to be replaced, but have been a low priority in the capital budget. "The young guy out of the three is 18 years old," he said.

Ridgeway, who officially takes his new position in March, will replace former Fire Chief Gene Hindman, who retired Oct. 1. He said he's looking forward to moving to Cape Girardeau.

"The people I've met here are good, friendly, down-to-earth people," he said. "There's a lot of pride in this city, and it shows."