The Maltese Cross

The Maltese Cross, the traditional badge of the firefighter, is a badge of honor as well as a symbol of protection. Its story is hundreds of years old . It is a story of courageous crusaders, the Knights of St. John, who lived nearly four centuries on Malta, a little island in the Mediterranean Sea. When fighting for possession of the Holy Land, these crusaders were confronted with a new and deadly deviceof war-- fire.

When the crusaders approached the city wall of the Holy Land, they were struck by glass bombs containing napatha. Once saturated with the flammable liquid, they were ignited by the enemie's flaming torches. Although many were burned alive, some were saved by their comrades who risked their lives to save their burning brothers from dying painful and fiery deaths.

These men became our first firefighters

The first in a long line of heroes. For their heroic efforts they were awarded a badge of honor, a cross similar to the Maltese Cross firefighters wear today.The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter wearing the cross is willing to lay down his or her life for others. It is a firefighter's badge of honor, signifying they work with courage, just a step away from death.