There were a number of options.

We all liked the story of the Dungog woman who was going to the Men's Shed to have her coffin made up with the aim of limiting her carbon footprint even in death.

The story about a mobile desalination plant that could be taken to regional communities to clean bore water and make it drinkable also had traction in the conference room.

With the drought continuing to bite, another water story - this one the case for renewed calls for Tillegra Dam - had supporters too.

No doubt all were worthy subjects.

But in the end we decided to write about today's front page story and the staff shortages at Maitland Fire Station that led to it being "taken offline" on Monday.

It is an issue that resonates, especially in the wake of last week's triple fire tragedy in Singleton.

And before that, the Lorn family who lost their home to fire - thankfully, in their case, without loss of life.

We can't help but feel a community the size of Maitland and surrounding areas needs a manned fire station in operation at all times.

Anything less is unacceptable.

With temperatures romping past 40C in the summer months these day, it's far too dangerous not to have trained firefighters at the ready.

We accept this is not a common occurrence, but if it happens at all - for whatever reason - then the staffing numbers are clearly insufficient.

In other news: Students come together to launch new NAIDOC Week inspired exhibition

But no sooner was that story being put together than a Letter to the Editor (Still understaffed) came in, pointing out the shortages of paramedic staff at Rutherford Ambulance Station.

The writer, who asked for his name not to be printed, said the four staffing additions we reported on earlier in the week, was in fact misleading. The four positions were, he wrote, positions that had been promised years ago.

According to the writer, the station had been working significantly undermanned for the best part of 10 years.

We get sick of pointing these things out on a regular basis. But if not us, then who?

And with our population continuing to surge, it's hard to imagine that things will get better any time soon.

Let's hope we're wrong. And if not, that it doesn't take a tragedy to find a solution.

In other news: Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison and Cessnock MP Clayton Barr to take on farming, water

Do you have something to say? Send a Letter to the Editor here