Gusi Peace Prize honours Curt Weldon for global fire and EMS advocacy

Gusi Peace Prize recognises US fire advocate in Manila

Gusi Peace Prize International has recognised former US Congressman Curt Weldon for his advocacy on behalf of firefighters and emergency medical services at its 40th annual awards ceremony in Manila, Philippines.

He accepted the 2025 Gusi Peace Prize on behalf of 2 million domestic responders in the US and more than 25 million firefighters and EMS personnel worldwide.

The award is presented annually by a Philippine foundation to individuals and organisations for contributions to global peace, human rights and progress in fields such as the arts and sciences.

The 2025 celebration, described by Weldon as the 40th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL GUSI PEACE PRIZE, took place in late November and early December in Manila.

The Gusi Peace Prize is sometimes referred to as the “Asian Nobel Peace Prize” and the event is recognised by the Philippine government.

Weldon attended the ceremony wearing an FDNY jacket that he said was given to him by New York City Fire Department Rescue Chief Ray Downey one year before Downey’s death following the 9/11 attacks.

Curt Weldon, former US Congressman and volunteer firefighter, said: “Thank you. 50 years ago this year, I was a 28-year-old volunteer firefighter, fire chief, and I faced the largest fire in America when two ships collided in my hometown.

“Hundreds of volunteers from all over three states rushed to our town, as they do all over America and all over the world to help us defeat the terror.”

Weldon stated that he dedicated the award to firefighters and EMS personnel in the Philippines, the US and across the world.

He described paid and volunteer firefighters and paramedics as “the root soul of the world and mankind” who are motivated by a desire to help others rather than by money or power.

Fire tradition and global role of first responders

In his remarks, Weldon linked the Manila ceremony to a wider historical and international perspective on fire and emergency services.

He noted that Benjamin Franklin established the Union Hose Volunteer Fire Company in Philadelphia in 1736, four decades before the US was founded as a nation.

Weldon said that around 33,000 fire and EMS departments have since developed in US cities, towns and villages, with approximately 85% of departments staffed by volunteers.

He wrote that firefighters and EMS personnel respond to emergencies regardless of race, income level or religion.

He contrasted the public standing of emergency responders with that of other public institutions, stating that political parties divide public support and that polling for the police and military is far below support for firefighters and EMS.

According to Weldon, surveys in the US show that roughly 98% of respondents support firefighters and EMS personnel.

He emphasised that in US communities many firefighters, including himself earlier in his career, serve on a voluntary basis without pay.

Weldon noted that he has led Congressional Delegations to 104 nations and has been on scene at major disasters including events in Banda Acha, L’Aquila and Beslan.

He wrote that firefighters and EMS personnel in different countries speak different languages but share a common commitment to assist others in crisis.

Global fire and EMS initiatives outlined

Weldon used the Gusi Peace Prize platform to promote several initiatives focused on global fire and emergency response.

In his LinkedIn post, he wrote that he challenged Philippine, national and United Nations leaders to understand the FIRE/EMS 290 Initiative and the One World for Life non-governmental organisation.

He stated that these initiatives are intended to identify, organise and empower firefighters and EMS personnel while changing the disaster paradigm by adding prediction and prevention to existing response models.

Weldon referenced his previous role as Chair of all US Department of Defense Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funding, which he described as a 150 billion dollar annual portfolio.

He said he held meetings and briefings in Manila with the Speaker and Parliament, reporting what he described as intense interest and strong support for the initiatives.

According to Weldon, 2026 will be designated the YEAR OF THE FIREFIGHTER/EMS.

He wrote that eight task forces led by fire and EMS stakeholder groups will be implemented using funds committed from private trusts.

Weldon argued that the strength and resilience of the US over 290 years has come from local emergency responders rather than from politicians, entertainers or sports figures.

He stated that these local emergency response personnel form the backbone of communities as they respond to everyday incidents and major disasters.

Weldon said: “2026 will be the YEAR OF THE FIREFIGHTER/EMS as we implement 8 Task Forces led by FIRE/EMS Stakeholder Groups using funds committed from private Trusts.”

Technology to predict and prevent fires and disasters

In a related speech, Weldon outlined a plan to build a global network that brings together first responders and integrates predictive technology into disaster management.

He described an earlier meeting at the United Nations with Margareta Wahlström, then Assistant Secretary General for disaster risk reduction.

Weldon said he asked for a list of all the people who respond to fires and disasters worldwide and was told that no such list existed.

He reported that UN officials could identify organisations such as the Red Cross but did not hold a registry of firefighters and other first responders who work during active disasters.

He stated that this gap helped to inspire the One World for Life initiative.

According to Weldon, One World for Life was announced at the World Economic Forum in Atyrau, Kazakhstan.

He said the initiative aims to unify around 25 million firefighters and EMS personnel worldwide and to provide them with improved support and technology.

The programme is intended to add prediction and prevention to existing disaster management models that currently focus on response, mitigation and recovery.

Weldon outlined plans to use satellite technology originally designed to detect rocket launches to identify small fires anywhere in the world.

He reported being told that satellites can already detect a fire less than one hectare in size.

He added that an algorithm has been developed to warn countries when the moisture content of farmland is approaching a level where an incendiary spark could ignite fires.

Weldon also described a planned device to be worn by firefighters and EMS responders that would show their vertical and horizontal location and track breathing and physical condition in real time.

He said this information would allow incident commanders to monitor personnel during operations and adjust tactics based on their status.

Curt Weldon, former US Congressman, said: “Our goal right now is simple, and it is the reason I am here.

“We are organising all the first responders in the world.

“We are going to give them technology that changes the entire approach.

“We are going to change the world.”

Political engagement and call to prioritise fire and EMS voices

Weldon used his speeches to urge fire and EMS leaders to assert their position more directly in political and policy discussions.

He recalled giving a keynote speech to the California Fire Chiefs in which he advised them to stop focusing their efforts on influencing politicians.

He contrasted the divided public opinion on policing and the military with high levels of support for fire and EMS services.

He argued that attempts to defund emergency medical responders do not attract support because communities rely on them for medical emergencies and disaster response.

Weldon characterised firefighters and EMS personnel as people who disregard race and religion in favour of assisting neighbours and citizens in need.

He linked these remarks back to his own experience as a volunteer firefighter who did not receive payment for service.

He concluded by thanking the host foundation and its ambassador for the invitation to Manila and for their support in advancing his global initiatives.

Weldon said he believes this backing will help him and his partners to change the way disasters are managed worldwide.

Practical implications for emergency and fire service leaders

Senior fire and rescue chiefs can use Weldon’s plans to assess how global initiatives such as One World for Life may influence future approaches to organising firefighters and EMS personnel.

Emergency and disaster response managers can track developments in the FIRE/EMS 290 Initiative and the proposed eight task forces as potential models for coordinating stakeholders across jurisdictions.

Government departments responsible for civil protection may review Weldon’s description of satellite-based early warning, farmland moisture monitoring and algorithmic alerts when considering investment in predictive tools for wildfire and drought-related risk.

Training officers and instructors can examine how wearable tracking devices and real-time monitoring could shape doctrine on crew safety, accountability and command decision-making during complex incidents.

Fire engineering consultants and risk assessors may find Weldon’s focus on shifting from response, mitigation and recovery to prediction and prevention relevant when advising on long-term resilience strategies.