NBC 'Nightly News' anchor Brian Williams fired up by FDNY award
By
Richard Huff DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR
When Brian Williams heads to Middletown, N.J., to visit his dad, he often swings by the local firehouse, where just over two decades ago he was a volunteer smoke eater.
"It's about the smell and the touch, and obviously the great memories," Williams says of Middletown's Station 11. "I can go touch my past within a short driving distance of New York."
Firefighting, no doubt, is in the blood of the NBC "Nightly News" anchor. And it'll be part of a big Thursday ahead for Williams, who on the same night will be one of three presented the FDNY's Humanitarian Award, and also appear on NBC's comedy "30 Rock."
Growing up, Williams says he looked up to the members of the FDNY, so he's flattered to be able to spend a night with them.
"These were the Yankees," Williams says. "When you saw or met a member of the FDNY, you were in awe."