As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs
containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, 
the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into the midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned
alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from painful firey 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 here a badge of 
honor- a cross simular to the one firemen wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived 
for close to four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross 
came to be known as the Maltese Cross.
 

  The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the fireman who 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.