The badge of a fireman is the Maltese Cross or St. Florian Cross (there seems to be much debate as to its name...see here for a lot more information if you are bored...they actually referenced our web site because we called it the Florian Cross based on what we had researched. Their site concludes it wasn't really the Maltese either, but still calls it the Maltese. Eh, who cares, right?). Whatever you call it, the cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor.

There are various stories around the cross, but whatever the true story, the cross is a symbol of protection. It means that the fireman who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as many before them have sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The cross is a fireman's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage - a ladder rung away from death.