The Maltese Cross

The badge of a firefighter is the Maltese Cross. This Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and 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. Its 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 wall of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled flaming torches into their midst. Hundreds of the Knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brother-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 with a badge of honor- a cross similar to the one firefighters wear today. These Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on an island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, thereby the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross, the firefighter symbol of protection.

The Maltese Cross is a firefighter’s badge of honor, strength and courage.