This is an original idea that I feel would work because of the timing. It doesn’t necessarily pertain to the Centre County area, but I would make sure to tell the story through people from Centre County.
Axle: With today marking the 13th anniversary of 9/11, it would be a good time to do a feature package on “a day in the life of a firefighter” to give viewers a glimpse of the dangers of the job and what kind of lifestyle adjustments they must make.
The Riders: To make the story feel as personal as possible, it would be best to tell it through the perspective of a firefighter from the Alpha Fire Company. He would be the central character and I would also talk to his family to help tell the story. His wife and kids would add an emotional dimension to the package that will really resonate with the audience. One or two interviews with other firefighters who know him well would also add a nice touch.
The Spokes: B-roll of the firefighter going into a dangerous situation.
Shoot the firefighters at the station to show the viewers what they do when they’re not fighting fires, putting their lives on the line.
B-roll of the firefighter playing/spending time with his kids.
Interviews with the people I mentioned above.
The Rim:
Beginning: Open up with a shot of the firefighter on the job, in a dangerous situation, to grasp the viewers attention.
Middle: Transition into the firefighter sharing his thoughts on the job, using the most powerful sound bites I have. Ask him about the difficulties of his job and what motivates him to continue doing it even though any day could be his last. Have him talk about some of his most memorable experiences on the job, good or bad.
End: Finish off by getting the family’s take on their dad having such a dangerous job. Use strong sound bites where they express the fear of losing him and how much they care for him. End with the clip of the firefighter spending time with his kids, laughing and smiling.