The Universal Symbol of the Fire Service
is the Maltese Cross.
The Cross is identified by its eight points. The wide arms
of the cross symbolize the open extended wings of a bird covering
and protecting its young. It distinguishes its users by their
acts of Courage, Bravery, Compassion and Loyalty to Duty.
The symbol was first used by the Knights of Malta, formerly
the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. They were a distinguished
group of crusaders of the 11th Century that fought the Saracens
for possession of the Holy Land. During many early battles,
they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors.
It was simple, but a horrible device of war, which brought
excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters
for the cross. This weapon was fire.
As the Crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were
struck by glass bombs filled with naphtha or other flammable
oil blends. After the troops were drenched in these smelly
fluids, a flamming object would be tossed down in their midst.
The men's fluid soaked clothing would quickly ignite. Hundreds
of knights were burned alive and others risked their own lives
to save their brothers-in-arms from dying this painful, fiery
death. They would remove their colorful capes and throw them
over the burning men to extinguish the flames.
Thus these men became our first firemen and the first of a
long list of courageous firefighters. Their heroic efforts
were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded them a badge
of honor - a cross similiar to the one that firefighters wear
today. Since the Knights of St John lived close to four centuries
on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the
cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.
The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that
the fireman who wears it, is willing to lay down his life
for you, just as the Crusaders sacrificed their lives for
their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a
fireman's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage,
a ladder rung away from death.
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