To the editor:

Among the neighbors we live with are those who, on a regular basis, dedicate large blocks of their time to the service of those who need a hand. Some of them are the volunteers I've been privileged to work with within Swansea's Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

When the people of Swansea ask for their help, they never hesitate to provide it: at any time, in any kind of weather, without hesitation. They're always there when called.

They were also there during long meetings. They attended classes, completed self-study programs, drills and training exercises. In return the received the joy that comes from helping others, and the friendship of the people they worked with . . . little else.

However, things have changed. On March 22, I submitted a memo to the selectmen asking for their advice.

By submitting a proposed EMA Mission Statement, and a proposed Table of Organization for their review, this old soldier hoped to begin a dialogue that would help me understand exactly what the selectmen expect for our agency.

Hopefully, that dialogue will still take place, and contribute to our community's ability to deal with the emergencies that are sure to come with wicked weather, changing technology or terrible acts of man.

However, we also need to deal with the damage that was done when our dedicated volunteers opened their papers to read the following comment from one of our selectmen: "If they can't fit within their role then they aren't going to have a role anymore."

Volunteers offer our community a tremendous reservoir of talent. But they require leadership, not confrontation to contribute the most. Motivation follows recognition. It's not inspired by intimidation.

Asking for direction is not grounds for insulting our volunteers and dissolving our agency.

Roland J. Martineau

34 Maplewood Ave.

Mr. Martineau is the director of Swansea's EMA