I have been asked to enter this forum and let you guys know the facts about why this topic has risen its head again after some time.
Basically, brigades over the years have been able to promote them selves within the community and often showed "their" colours by wearing similar clothing representing both the service and more importantly promoting "their" brigade. They did this by purchasing brigade T shirts. Most brigades chose to wear blue t shirts with the star on the chest and their brigade name emroidered below the star. The shirts looked smart and represented the brigades appropriately, they also carried the name south australia country fire service around the collar.
The logo was introduced in 1999 after a short competition as the service thought we needed a corporate logo. At that time the then chief officer stated that the introduction of the corporate logo into brigades will be at the discretion of brigades and no brigade will be compelled to adopt the logo. The logo was designed by Aldgate member Gary Macrae. (Volunteer 87 feb 1999)
The fire service star is a version of the legendary Maltese Cross which dates back to the crusades and is warn by emergency services across the world. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection - a badge of honour. Its story is hundreds of years old, and goes like this:-
"When a courageous band of Crusaders known as the Knights of St John fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encoutered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple but horrible device. It wwrought excruciating pain and agonising death upon brave fighters of the Cross. The saracens' weapon was fire. As the crusdaers advanced on the walls of the city they were struck by glass bombs containing naptha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flamming tree in their midst. Hundreds of knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives to save their brothers in arms from dying a painful, fiery death. Thus these men became the first fire fighters, and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognised by fellow Crusdaers who awarded each hero a badge of honour - a cross similar to the one fire fighters 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 became known as the Maltese Cross.
The Maltese Cross is OUR symbol of protection. It means that WE who wear this cross are willing to lay down OUR lives for it, just as the Crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow men so many years ago.
The Maltese Cross is a fire fighters badge of honour, signifying that they work with courage and honour close to death. As Jesus carried the cross, so shall we carry the cross of protection. This cross will be carried with honour and courage until the day we answer our last call.
The eight points of the star - tenets - are said to represent gallantry, loyalty, dexterity, perseverance, observation, explicitness, sympathy and tact."
Mr Fred Kerr - Former Director of the EFS / CFS and founding editor of the Volunteer states.
The Fire Services Star was adopted by the EFS in 1965/66. Later on, the SA Fire Brigade (MFS) followed suit and the star became their emblem as well."
So - all my friends, their is a little more to this story than meets the un-educated eye. The star represents us and what we do within our communities. It can be emotional. And I for one would be dissapointed if it did not. It is what makes us who we are and identifies us as just that - an organisation - far greater that just the CFS in Adelaide we are part of a family of men and women all over the world who train dilligently, drive towards the fire when the rest of our communities are driving away.
I would suggest that the main reason that this topic has remained dorment for so long is that most people are still wearing the old bluey with the badge on the chest. It is only now when they are looking to replace their T shirts that they are finding that they cant buy the same style, colour, star.
This topic will remain alive for as long as their is resitance to fire fighters not having access to what they are entitled to.
Happy to discuss more if required.
Greg
TTG Capt.
Poll