History and Tradition

Firefighters and the Maltese Cross

Some of the earliest firefighters known in history were a particular order of Knights during the Crusades.  The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem were one of the oldest Orders of warrior monks.  They took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  Also known as Hospitallers the monks, formally recognized in 1113 AD, maintained a hospital for pilgrims in Jerusalem around 600 AD.  When the city became the center of the crusade-embattled lands, the brothers militarized their order, but continued to protect pilgrims and care for the sick and the poor.

Because of the extensive armor that covered their bodies and faces, Knights were unable to distinguish friend from foe in battle; thus the need for an identifiable emblem for the Knights became crucial. The Knights chose the the Crosse of Calvary, four converging spear heads that resembles a white or silver eight pointed cross on a dark background.

The Knights fought the Saracens for the possession of the Holy Lands; they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors.  It was a simple but effective device of war.  As they advanced, the Knights were struck by glass vessels containing naphtha.  When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled flaming torches into their midst.  Hundreds of Knights were burned alive as they attempted to save their brothers in arms.

Each of the Knights who managed to save a brother from that horrible fate had their heroic efforts as firefighters recognized by fellow Knights who awarded them a badge of honor, a cross similar to the one worn by firefighters today.  This cross became the official badge of the Order in 1023 AD.  After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, the Knights moved their Order to the island of Malta where they lived for the next four centuries.  This was where their emblem became known as the Maltese Cross.

The Knights wore red surcoats over their armor which probably accounts for the one time general use of red shirts as part of the firemen’s uniform.  The Hospitallers motto, “Pro Fide” (For the faith) was later revised to “Pro Ultiate Homum” (To the benefit of man).  The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection, when seen by the average citizen.  It means that the men wearing this cross are willing to lay down their life, if it need be to protect you.  It is certainly a firemen’s badge of honor, denoting courage, training and the ability to work at death’s door.