A courageous band of Crusaders from Malta, known as the knights of St. John,
fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land. The need for an identifiable
emblem for knights had become crucial. Because of the extensive armor which
covered their entire bodies and faces, the knights were unable to distinguish friend
from foe in battle. They chose the cross of Calvery as their symbol, since they fought
their battles as a holy cause. The cross was later called the "Maltese Cross" and
represented the principles of charity, loyalty, chivalry, gallantry, generosity to friend
and foe, protection of the weak, and dexterity in service.  The Knights encountered
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 over the walls of the city they were struck by glass bombs
containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid,
the Saracen's hurled a flaming tree into their midst. Hundreds of Knights were
burned alive. Others were called upon to perform heroic deeds by rescuing fellow
knights and extinguishing fires. In acknowledgement of these feats, the cross worn by
these knights was decorated and inscribed. This was considered a most honorable
acclaim. Thus these men became our first fire fighters and the first of a long list of
courageous fire fighters.

The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the fire fighter who
wears this cross is willing to lay down his/her life for you, just as crusaders sacrificed
their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a fire fighter's
badge of honor, signifying that he or she works in courage....a ladder-rung away
from death.