Firefighters and first responders are the backbone of America serving in 32,000 departments mostly as volunteers. Older than America itself, firefighters and first responders have protected us from every type of disaster, but were ignored for years by government at all levels.Awakening the Sleeping Giant by Congressman/Fire Chief Curt Weldon documents the deliberate process over 30 years to politically awaken and empower these heroes - a process that can be used by any group in America seeking more respect and recognition.In this groundbreaking book, Weldon demonstrates, in real stories raging from sadness and frustration to success and unity, that firefighters and first responders in America and around the world can build bridges of understanding and cooperation so needed in today's conflict-ridden times. Estimated at twenty-five million strong in all nations, firefighters and first responders can build "One World for Life."