Christopher Williams is still in disbelief that he’s going to be an astronaut. “It’s still almost a little bit surreal, something that you’ve dreamed about your whole life and now getting the opportunity to do, I feel so lucky and honored to have the chance to do this and to be part of the team,” he told MyMCM.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: My Montgomery County Media

Dec. 8, 2021, is officially known as Florida Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 3 Day in Hillsborough County in honor of the first responders that jumped into action after this summer's deadly Surfside condo collapse. In the wake of the tragedy that claimed 98 lives, some 75 men and women across the Tampa Bay area were dispatched to South Florida to assist with search and rescue efforts.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTSP-TV CBS News 10 Tampa

A firefighter was injured trying to save an unoccupied home from burning Wednesday night. The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to the fire around 10 p.m. near E Crestwood Lane and N Ryley Lane in Otis Orchards. Crews tried to knock down the flames with a hose line, but ran out of water. The Newman Lake and Hauser Lake Fire Departments each supplied a water tender to help provide water for the fire.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

When firefighters in one part of Vancouver are overwhelmed with emergency calls, dispatchers fielding new calls in that area start pulling firefighters from elsewhere – areas further away that lead to delays in emergency response times. This happens about four times every day, often involving life-threatening calls, according to Vancouver Fire Chief Brennan Blue.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Oregon Public Broadcasting

Santa will soon be cruising through area neighborhoods, escorted by local firefighters. Listen for sirens and look for flashing lights as Mr. Claus will cruise Stanwood neighborhoods atop big red fire engines collecting food and toy donations. The tour starts at 5 p.m. on weekends and 5:30 p.m. on weeknights.
- PUB DATE: 12/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Go Skagit