Weldon boosts support for first responders in new book
THORNBURY » During the next several weeks as Americans reflect back on Sept. 11, 2001, firefighters and first responders will be recognized and honored in civil and religious ceremonies, in schools and at community events. Few Americans can truly grasp the depths of the first responders’ heroism that took place in the wake of 9/11 better than former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, who witnessed the horrors first-hand through his work with the New York Fire Department. Few Americans have fought harder than Weldon to see that the nation’s firefighters and first responders are honored and acknowledged for their hard work and their life-saving sacrifices.
Weldon chronicled his 9/11 experiences and much more in his recently released book, “Awakening The Sleeping Giant: The Political Empowerment of America’s Heroes.” Available through Amazon.com as a soft cover, hard cover and an e-book, “Awakening The Sleeping Giant” documents the journey to political empowerment of America’s one million firefighters, Emergency Medical Services providers, and first responders. On its Aug. 20 launch, the book placed #1 nationwide in five new book categories and five top tens, including “Best Seller” in one category.
Weldon, who served as the very first volunteer director of the Delaware County Fire Academy, wrote the book with an international scope that took root right in the homes, schools, businesses, institutions and communities of Delaware County.
“The book tells my story – and the story of every other firefighter in Delco and the nation,” Weldon stated. “‘Awakening The Sleeping Giant’ is exciting, intriguing, sad, funny, disgusting and in some cases – just unbelievable – and all true. For the first time I also talk about my last election – we now know all of the facts.”
Weldon, 70, has spent a lifetime struggling to bring honor and recognition to career and volunteer first responders in Pennsylvania and across America. As a volunteer firefighter and chief, state fire instructor and volunteer training director for one of the largest counties in Pennsylvania, Weldon documents his life in fire service and how he took the firefighter’s battle to Washington, D.C., as a 20-year member of Congress.
Weldon’s book is entrenched in Delaware County history, geography, business and politics. The Republican is a lifelong Delaware County resident. He was born and raised in Marcus Hook, graduated from Media High School, taught school in Darby, Colwyn, Lansdowne, East Lansdowne, Aldan and Yeadon, raised his family in Aston and now resides in Thornbury with his wife Mary.
A former Marcus Hook mayor, he was chairman of Delaware County Council when he was elected to Congress in 1986. He served for 10 terms before being defeated by Democrat Joe Sestak in 2006.
Weldon was the first in his family able to attend college right out of high school, graduating from West Chester University. Like his father and six older brothers, Weldon joined the Viscose Fire Department where he would rise to become president and chief of one of two fire departments located in the most heavily industrialized community per capita in the nation. In 2012, Marcus Hook and Viscose fire companies merged to form the current Marcus Hook-Trainer Fire Co.
His years with Viscose included a variety of unforgettable experiences, including responding to dozens of fires in the Sun Oil refinery, General Chemical Corporation Plant, Congoleum Flooring Plant, BP Refinery as well as hundreds of structure fires, hazmat incidents and train derailments.
Weldon was serving as assistant chief of Viscose in 1975 when the catastrophic Corinthos-Queeney tanker collision, explosion and fire occurred. The incident was handled by Marcus Hook and Viscose Fire Departments and volunteers from 80 fire and ambulance companies. Except for the Philadelphia Fire Boats, all ground and dockside operations were handled by volunteers.
Weldon was lead author of the 60-page technical book “The Corinthos Disaster” documenting details of the explosions and fires that killed 29 people and burned out of control for three days. He testified as an expert witness in federal court as well as federal and state hearings.
When he arrived in Washington in the 1987, Weldon found an American government that seemed unresponsive to the needs of career and volunteer first responders.
Weldon drew national attention when he put out a fire in then-House Speaker Jim Wright’s office. Soon thereafter he founded the Congressional Fire and EMS Caucus and Institute to lobby for the interest of first responders.
“Thirty years after I conceived, organized and led this effort, the Fire & EMS Caucus remains the largest bipartisan caucus in the Congress. We proved that government can work,” Weldon said. Among its achievements was passage of the Fire Grant and Safer Programs without the support of the White House to enact and appropriate over $8 billion for America’s firefighters. Printed on the cover of
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