The symbol for the Fire Department and the badge of a fireman is the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and is worn as a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.
When a courageous band of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple but a horrible device of war that wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon those brave fighters for the cross. The Saracen's weapon was FIRE!
As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the Knights were burned alive while others risked their lives to save their brothers-in arms from dying painful, fiery deaths. 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 each hero a badge of honor - a cross similar to the one firemen 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 the fireman who wears this cross 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 he works in courage --a ladder rung away from death.
A good many individuals, including fire personnel are not aware of the complete significance of the 8 points on the Maltese Cross. Here they are:
To the Knights of Malta, its four arms represent the cross on which Jesus suffered, while the eight points symbolize the Beatitudes given on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10):
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
Fire Fighters Prayer