A Fire Chief's Account of the Warning Before 9/11
What the 9/11 Commission Never Told You
“On September 11, 2001, America lost three thousand Ray Downeys.”— from the book
Available in Hardcover and also on Kindle. Ordering for a department or association? Email bbellemore@skyhorsepublishing.com.
Curt Weldon is a lifelong volunteer firefighter and former fire chief who founded the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. He walked the World Trade Center after the 1993 bombing with FDNY Rescue Chief Ray Downey, who was killed in the towers on 9/11. This book is his tribute to the 343 and every responder lost.
In 1993, Curt Weldon walked the bombed-out garage beneath the World Trade Center with FDNY Rescue Chief Ray Downey. Eight years later, Downey died in the towers, one of 343 firefighters lost. Able Danger is Weldon's tribute to them, and his firsthand account of the U.S. Army intelligence program that, its own analysts say, identified Mohammed Atta inside the United States more than a year before 9/11 — and of the decisions that kept that warning from the FBI.
Drawing on sworn affidavits, congressional letters, classified briefings and testimony from military and intelligence officials, Weldon argues the warning was not missed but buried — by fear, politics and self-protection across multiple administrations.
“A debt that can never be repaid.”
“This is a very important book that tells the truth about the events surrounding 9/11 … This book should be read by everyone who cares about the future safety of America.”
“Two of the most consequential and suppressed intelligence programs in modern American history … could have prevented the 9/11 attacks. Curt Weldon's extraordinary book forces a long overdue reckoning.”
“He is the epitome of one who runs into the flames while others cower due to fear. Curt lives the phrase ‘bravery under fire.’”
Get updates from Curt Weldon — new interviews, events and news on the fight for America's firefighters.
Firefighter · Fire Chief · Ten-term Congressman · Author
Curt Weldon devoted more than thirty years to public service — as an elected mayor, county chair, public educator, corporate risk-management leader, lifelong volunteer firefighter and fire chief, county fire and EMS training director, and twenty-year Member of Congress representing Pennsylvania's 7th District (1987–2007). Congressional Quarterly named him one of the “Fifty Most Effective Members of Congress.”
As Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and chairman overseeing the Pentagon's research, development and intelligence funding, he challenged politicized intelligence and, two years before 9/11, proposed a national intelligence-fusion capability known as NOAH — an initiative blocked following CIA objections. In 2007, President George H. W. Bush honored him with a personal tribute before more than 2,000 leaders in Washington.
He never stopped being a firefighter. He founded the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the Congressional Fire Services Institute, and responded on scene to major U.S. disasters, working directly with FDNY leadership — including at the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which he toured with Rescue Chief Ray Downey. A month after 9/11, Weldon brought Downey's widow and family to his district, where 50,000 people gathered in tribute.
Today he leads FIRE/EMS 290 and One World For Life, and is pressing for the first White House Conference on Firefighters and EMS. He is a Gusi Peace Prize laureate. His books include Able Danger (2026), Countdown to Terror and Awakening the Sleeping Giant.
More of Curt's archive and past work: curtweldon.net
Courage, integrity and decision-making under fire — from the ten-term congressman and fire chief who ran toward crisis his whole life, and stood alone against his own government before 9/11.
The flagship keynote for leaders and teams — a practical framework for courage, integrity and decision-making when the stakes and pressure are highest.
For corporate, association, executive and sales audiences.
Inside Able Danger — the intelligence that was found, buried and left out of the official record, from the congressman who held the clearances.
For general, national-security, civic and university audiences.
The Ray Downey story, told by the man who honored him, and the through-line from the 1993 World Trade Center bombing to the 343 lost on 9/11.
For fire service, EMS and commemorative programs.
Bringing military and intelligence technology into disaster response, and the case for a White House Conference on Firefighters and EMS.
For fire and EMS leadership and public-safety audiences.
Formats: keynote · leadership breakout · fireside chat and moderated Q&A · panel · commemorative and anniversary programs. In person or virtual. Ask about the “keynote plus a copy of the book for every attendee” package.
For interviews, speaking engagements, media requests, event appearances, and other inquiries.
Speaking fees are quoted by inquiry, with reduced and pro-bono rates for fire-service and nonprofit events.
Curt Weldon is pressing for the first White House Conference on Firefighters and EMS and a Presidential Commission on the state of the fire and EMS service. Neither has been convened. Under his proposal, every committee would be managed, staffed and privately funded by the fire service's own organizations, not by government. Please describe it as proposed.