The Richmond City Council recently approved the purchase of a new antenna for the city’s fire department (RFD). The council approved a $2,125.82 bid from St. Joseph-based Midwest Mobile Radio Service Inc. to replace the department’s antenna and confirm operation of the new one. The company has “done radio work for 911 and many Ray County agencies for years,” according to Richmond Fire Chief Mark Sowder Sowder requested the antenna be replaced because of coverage issues that have occurred during the past 12 months. “We have static at times, and our people who live outside of town are having problems getting pagers to go off when we have calls,” the chief’s memo stated. “This is a problem that happens sporadically, but when staff does not receive notification of a call, we can be left shorthanded when working fire calls and auto accidents efficiently.” After Sowder had discussed the problem with Ray County dispatchers, Midwest Mobile was brought in to inspect the dispatching gear…