Communication to first-responders in Morden isn't what it should be, but the Southern Emergency Response Committee, or SERC, is looking to change that.

Funds are being collected for a communications tower at the Morden civic centre, which doubles as the emergency operation centre for the community during disasters like the wind-storm in early August.

Once completed, any current gaps in effective, reliable communication with emergency crews will be filled.

"This communications tower is designed to allow the emergency operations centre personnel to talk to the first-responders in the field directly," said Chris Kalansky, the regional project coordinator for SERC.

This sort of direct relaying of information is accomplished through VHF (very high frequency) radios. The signal is less affected by buildings, but is obstructed by topographical features. On the prairies, a tall communication tower could be especially effective.

Around half of the total bill for the tower was paid by the Canadian energy company, Enbridge, which offers grants for emergency services, among others. A $10,000 cheque was presented to Kalansky at the Morden civic centre Wednesday afternoon.

"First responders," said Les Scott, senior advisor of public affairs for Enbridge, "are important for everybody. They're going to be the first ones out there in case of a disaster or if something hits."

"You want to have them prepared; you want to have them to be able to communicate amongst themselves."

In 2010, Enbridge helped fund a similar tower in Winkler. However, it was decided that building Morden's own structure would benefit future work by emergency crews.

The communication tower should be finished later this year or early next spring at the latest.