Firemen’s Prayer

When I am called to duty, God

 Wherever flames may rage

 Give me strength to save a life

 Whatever be its age.

 Let me embrace a little child

 Before it is too late

 Or save an older person from

 The horror of that fate.

 Enable me to be alert

 And hear the weakest shout,

 and quickly and efficiently

 To put the fire out.

 I want to fill my calling

 To give the best in me,

 To guard my friend and neighbor

 And protect their property.

 And, if, according to your will,

 I have to lose my life,

 Please bless, with your protecting hand,

 My family and my wife.

The History of the Maltese Cross

When a courageous band of crusaders, the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Lands, they were faced with a new device of war – FIRE.

As the crusaders advanced on Jerusalem, the Saracens pelted them with glass bombs full of naphtha and then threw down flaming torches.

Hundreds of knights were burned alive while others risked their lives to save their kinsmen from painful fiery deaths. Thus these became the first firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded them with the badge of honor similar to the cross the firefighters wear today.

Since the Knights of St. John lived nearly four centuries on the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross. The firefighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for others, just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago.