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.