It was a simple, but horrible device of war. John fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. When a courageous band of crusaders known as Knights of St. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. So where did the Maltese cross come from, and how did it get to be known as a symbol of the fire service? The Badge of a Fire Fighter is the Maltese Cross. It is often seen painted on fire trucks, on the clothing of firefighters, depicted on firefighters badges, and is quite often the chosen design of firefighter tattoos. The Maltese cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire service. Saint Florian is the patron saint of firefighters, chimney sweeps, barrel-makers, soap boilers, harvests, Austria, Poland and others. He then had a stone tied around his neck and he was thrown into a river where he drowned.įlorian is said to have once stopped an entire town from burning by throwing a single bucket of water onto the fire. When ordered to execute a group of Christians during the persecutions of Diocletian, Saint Florian professed his faith and refused to follow the order. Saint Florian had converted to Christianity but kept his new faith a secret to avoid persecution. Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, was an officer in the Roman army during the third century. The pipes have come to be a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. All members wear the kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan or Irish single color kilt. Many bands wear traditional Scottish dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform. They are also traditionally known as Emerald Societies after Ireland-the Emerald Isle. The bagpipes add a special air and dignity to this solemn occasion.Īssociated with cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, pipe bands representing both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed members. It wasn't too long before families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the bagpipes to be played for fallen heroes.

The most famous song played at fire and police funerals is 'Amazing Grace'. Those who have attended a funeral where bagpipes were played know how haunting and mournful the sound of the pipes can be. It was somehow okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of bagpipes when his dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade. The Irish firefighters' funerals were typical of all Irish funerals - the pipes were played. It was not an uncommon event to have several firefighters killed at a working fire. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both - firefighters and police officers. Factories and shops had signs reading 'NINA' - No Irish Need Apply. In the 1800's, Irish immigrants faced massive discrimination. It wasn't until the Great Potato Famine and massive Irish immigration to the East Coast of the United States that the tradition of the bagpipes really took hold in the fire department. One of these was the bagpipe, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances). When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them. The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department and police department funerals in the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years.

HISTORY OF THE BAGPIPES AND THE FIRE SERVICEĮxcerpted from Ohio Fire Chief, July 1997

Kilt wearing flaming bagpipe player