FIRE DEPARTMENT'S JOBS GET BROADER VIEWING

While the words "fire department" conjure a singular image in the minds of most people that of fighting fires these agencies are actually multi-faceted, customer-intensive public services. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department is taking steps to promote itself in this latter sense, aiming its efforts at rescue work, fire prevention and education as complements to its more traditional duties. We believe these objectives, and the way they are being articulated by new Fire Chief Bob Ridgeway, is admirable.

Ridgeway, on the job three months and speaker last week before local business people at a Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee, describes his department as a public safety entity with numerous dimensions. As the chief ac~knowledges, he inherited a top-flight department with well-trained personnel already attuned to a diversity of roles. Ridgeway defines his job as one of expounding these numerous functions and making sure the public understands the value of a well-rounded fire service.

Public education remains the most important tool in fighting fires, snuffing blazes out before they have a chance to get started. The fire department's scattered stations will begin an adopt-a-school program this fall that will focus on educating young people about fire safety and making students more aware of what firefighters do. Similar education on fire prevention will be available to the community; Ridgeway would like to see fire stations become centers for community functions, not inaccessible public structures where fire trucks are housed. The fire department has also commenced an ambitious emergency medical response program, hoping to be the first to the scene when emergency calls come in and lives are on the line.

Obviously, the city has quite a stake in maintaining a superior fire department. For one thing, the budget for the department stands at about $2.5 million, a substantial revenue investment. For another, the quality of the department bears directly on the fire insurance rates paid by Cape Girardeau property owners and businesses. Most importantly, the public, in a collective sense, sleeps better knowing that its public safety agencies do their jobs well. Cape Girardeau has such an assurance.

Again, much of what the fire department plans is not ground-breaking or untried. Some of the functions of the department will get a new emphasis and higher visibility. Unlike their colleagues at the police department, who are in the public eye often on routine patrols, firefighters are most apparent to the public when fighting fires; they do a lot more. We are pleased a more full view of the workings of this vital agency is being brought into the spotlight.