Dalmatians, Maltese Crosses and Red Fire Trucks. Things You Might Not Have Known About The Fire Service
Why are Dalmatians represented as Fire Dogs?
Back in the times of stagecoaches and horses, there was a problem with
thieves stealing horses. They were very valuable in those days. Horses were used to pull stagecoaches, fire pumpers, and any other type of cart that needed moved from place to place. People used to sleep outside with their horses to guard against thieves. Now if a person had a Dalmatian, they could sleep inside. Do you know why?Dalmatians formed a tight bond with horses and could sleep outside with them
and guard against thieves. Since every firehouse had a set of horses, it became common for firehouses to have a Dalmatian around. They would guard the horses and keep the firemen company when they weren't out fighting fires.Horses are no longer in firehouses, but the Dalmatians still are. So the
next time someone asks, "Why are Dalmatians known as fire dogs"?, you'll know the answer.
The Maltese Cross - Symbol of Firefighters
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The Maltese Cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire service. 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. So where did the Maltese Cross come from, and how did it get to be known as a symbol of the fire service? The Maltese Cross is named after the island of Malta, which came to be the home of the Knights of St. John. The Knights of St. John existed during the 11th and 12th centuries. The armor worn by the Knights covered their entire bodies as well as their faces. Because of this it was often difficult for the knights to recognize one another during battle. They realized they would need some type of symbol that could be used to quickly and easily identify themselves. They chose the Cross of Calvary, which would later be known as the Maltese Cross. During the Crusades, 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 a badge of honor similar to the cross
firefighters wear today.
The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his or her life .... just as the Crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a firefighter's badge of honor, signifying that he or she works in courage, pride and honor..... |
So Why are Fire Trucks Red?
Back in the 1920's most cars and trucks were painted black. To make the fire trucks stand out more, they were painted red. In the 1960's, fire departments began experimenting with different colors that would make the fire trucks more visible in daylight as well as nighttime. Hence the first instance of a 'lime green' color. Today, each fire department chooses their own colors for their vehicles. Some departments have even gone to a dark blue color. And some others paint murals in the sides of their trucks.
