Firefighters are identified by and are very proud of the badge that identifies them with their company. The majority of Firefighter's Badges are in the shape of the Maltese Cross.

Why the Maltese Cross ?

the Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection ... a badge of honor, and its story is hundreds of years old.

When a courageous band of crusaders from Malta, known as the Knights of St. John fought the Saracens for possssion of the Holy Land, they encouraged a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple but horrible device of war; it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the 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 Sacarens hurled a flamming tree into their midst.

Hundreds of the Knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives to save thier brothers in arms from dying painfull fiery deaths.

Thus, these men became our first firefighters 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 firefighters wear today.

The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you, just as the Crusaders sacraficed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago.

The Maltese Cross is a firefighter's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage ... a ladder rung away from death.