Why is it so important that members of the media cover things like fires and accidents? We have to invade the private lives of individuals during perhaps their worst times. The news value is that when something private happens that requires public help(ie.. the fire, police, emergency personnel etc..) where people have to risk their own lives and well being, then it is no longer private and it is newsworthy. When a situation can help a community understand itself better, then it is newsworthy. When telling a story can help the victims then it is newsworthy. When doing the story can help a community remember do some things like check their smoke detectors, clean their chimney's or slow down, then it is newsworthy. I don't like covering fires or accidents, especially when death is involved, but this is perhaps the most important work that we do as journalists. If we can tell a story in such a way that helps the community in which we live, helps us all live better lives, then its pretty important work indeed. This photograph was taken on December 18, 2009 on Carpenter Road in Randolph Township. As the firefighters tried to pull down a remaining wall to better fight the flames, I thought how dangerous it is to be a firefighter and what a shame it is to lose a home. Meadville Tribune photograph by Richard Sayer