The Story of the Maltese Cross

The badge of a Firefighter is 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, 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 horrible device of war. The Saracens 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 liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of knights were burned alive; others risked their lives in an effort to save their brothers from painful fiery deaths. Thus these men became our first firemen, and the first of a long list of firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor similar to the cross firefighters wear today.

Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on the island of Malta , in the Mediterranean Sea , the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the Fireman that 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 that he works in courage - a ladder rung away from death.