FireFighter Poems

Dedicated to the ones who risk thier lives to save other.

A Special Thanks to the Men And Women of the A-Team.

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at ffemt159@aol.com

What is a Fireman

History of the Maltese Cross

Chief's Prayer

EMT Prayer

What Is A Fireman

He's the guy next door, a mans man with the memory of a little boy. He's never gotten over the excitement of the engines and sirens and danger. He's the guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfilled dreams. Yet he stands taller than most of us. He's a fireman.

He put's it on the line when the bell rings. A fireman at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men. He's a man who saves lives, because he's seen too much death. He's a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control. He's responsive to a child's laughter, because his arms held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.

He's a simple man who enjoys the simple pleasure's in life hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling. The camaraderie of brave men and the devine peace and selfless service, of a job well done.

He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities. When he marches its to honor a fallen comrade. He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man He lives it.

Author Unknown

History of the Maltese Cross

The badge of a fireman is the Maltese Cross. This Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.

W hen a courageous band of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but a horrible device of war, it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the cross. The Saracen's weapon was fire.

A s the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.

T hus, these men became our first firemen and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each here a badge of honor - a cross similar to the one firemen 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 came to be known as the Maltese Cross.

T he Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the fireman who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a fireman's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage - a ladder rung away from death. -anonymous History of the Maltese Cross

The badge of a fireman is the Maltese Cross. This Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.

W hen a courageous band of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but a horrible device of war, it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the cross. The Saracen's weapon was fire.

A s the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.

T hus, these men became our first firemen and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each here a badge of honor - a cross similar to the one firemen 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 came to be known as the Maltese Cross.

T he Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the fireman who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a fireman's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage - a ladder rung away from death. -anonymous

A Fire Chief's Prayer

I am called to many duties lord and now I've been called home.

I've had to leave the ones I love To stand before your throne.

I'll not complain, its not my way But there are some things I'll ask.

And please , Lord, grant them to me For the loved ones I hold fast.

I dare to ask because I know How you've blessed in the past.

I've learned to trust in your grace, O Lord That's how I've come this far.

So now, O God, I humbley pray Hear this Fire Chief's prayer.

Bless my wife and family -- so often left alone, They knew where I was going and Trusted you to bring me home.

Well, now I'm home and wait for them Keep them within the faith -- that one day, Someday, we'll be together in this place.

And O dear God, bless my men I trained them as best I could.

I tried to do your will with them and lead them as you would.

I need to know your with them Lord Or else how can I stay And peacefully enjoy this place of endless day.

This heaven where there is no night No fire to kill and burn I guess that's why its now my rest, my place, my turn.

And Lord, be with my community And keep it safe as it can be For all its folks are special, and very dear to me.

They are all my friends, and by your grace I served them as best I could.

So hear this Fire Chief's prayer, O Lord And grant it please -- I already knew you would.

Amen

EMT's Prayer

GOD ... Grant me the ability to give emergency care. With skillful hands, knowlegeable mind, and tender loving care. Help me deal with everything, when lives are on the line. To see the worst, administer aid, and ease a worried mind. So help me as I go today, accept what fate may be. Touch these hands, use this mind, help this E.M.T.

    Amen