| The Eight Pointed Star is the cross of Saint
John. It originated in the Maltese Cross, the emblem of the Knights of Malta, and
was used by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem at the time of the crusades. The points of "TENETS" were said to represent the knightly virtues
of:
TACT
PERSEVERENCE
GALLENTRY
LOYALTY
DEXTERITY
EXPLICITNESS
OBSERVATION
SYMPATHY
Since these represent the qualities required by a fireman,
the star was chosen for the insignia of the National and Auxiliary Fire Service and has
remained so to the Fire Service of today. |
