BY EDMUND J. ENRIGHT and KURT GLOSSER
The Knights of Saint John are with us. Pull strength from our past as we reflect on this historic emblem and what it means for us today. The Maltese cross has a rich history of symbolizing a noble breed dedicated to serving their fellow man. An emblem we have seen and probably have worn many times has a story to tell, if we listen hard enough.
The original meaning of the eight points of the Maltese cross was the “Beatitudes as given by the Lord Jesus Christ, in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.”1 The working of these eight Knightly obligations changed over the centuries, but the symbolism never changed, as it represented a group of men bound by the universal motto “For the Service of Mankind.” An official government record for Canada provides this statement about the switch to a non-Christian set of virtues for the Order of St John:
| The emblem is significant in that the eight points that span off into the four arms were to put the wearers in mind of always bearing in their hearts the cross of Jesus, adorned with the eight virtues that attend it. Prior to the council of the order in England, the meaning of each point was basically religious. But since then, the meanings have been changed. They are observation, tact, resource, dexterity, explicitness, discrimination, perseverance and sympathy.2 |
FIREFIGHTER PERSPECTIVE
These Knightly virtues were slightly changed as the fire service personalized them into the eight with which we are familiar today. Let us take a look at the meaning of these eight points from the firefighter’s perspective. Let us reflect on this emblem from our past and ponder what it signifies to us today.
Observation: To constantly be aware. The emergency scene is unpredictable, the unknown is a constant, and those hidden hazards pose an ever-present danger. We must prepare for the worst en route and conduct a thorough size-up on arrival. Sizing up the incident is performed not only prearrival and once on scene but throughout the incident as well; being observant involves monitoring changes in our surroundings. This virtue is more than just being on guard and continuously sizing up the incident. It is about training ourselves to be observant, constantly aware of what is happening in our environment. It is about forming a habit of situational awareness both on and off the job.
Tact: To be professional in speech. We interact with all types of individuals both inside and outside of the firehouse. Being a professional should impact the way we deal with people and treat others. How do we present things to people? We must be honest with them but still have the ability to get their “buy in.” How do we give orders on the fireground—how does our message come across? The importance of maintaining a high level of professionalism during our interactions with others cannot be underestimated.
Dexterity: To be versatile. We must be able to adjust to the demands of our environment. Do we possess flexibility to accomplish the task regardless of the conditions placed on us? Can we vent the roof swinging left or right handedly or cut the hinges operating the saw left handedly, cradled, or high shoulder, if necessary? The use of our tools should be limited only by our imagination. Is the team able to react to conditions and change tactics? Are we jacks of all trades, able to adapt and overcome, and capable of getting the job done?
Explicitness: To clearly communicate. We must master the art of speaking few words to communicate volumes; having a formulated message is critical in clearly and fully expressing our intentions. On the emergency scene, we want our receiver to imply nothing. If things are worth doing, do it right; strive to be the best. This starts within ourselves and takes discipline.
Perseverance: To never quit. We can’t let them down—the person in need, our team—folks are depending on us. Do we have the drive to never quit, the drive to keep going even when we are exhausted, physically and mentally drained? We dedicate ourselves to living the life of a firefighter through the good and bad times. We keep coming back to work, and we keep answering the pager; we persevere through any challenge.
Sympathy: To treat others gently. We see a lot of trauma, life stripped down to its stark realities and harsh emotions. We must accept this fact and be able to “march on.” One old-timer once said the most important piece of equipment on the squad is the blanket. Do our actions show respect? This virtue examines our ability to treat others like family, to gently care for those who are having their worst day. Whether we are dealing with a citizen who has suffered a loss or with a frequent flyer, are we sympathetic without judgment?
Gallantry: To step up when duty calls. When we raised our hand to join the department and committed ourselves to this profession, the “greatest act of bravery was accomplished.” However, we must also “live it” and keep coming back to face and overcome the challenges of the job. The drive to do this must be fueled by our PRIDE; the community calls us for help. This virtue speaks to demonstrating courage in the face of danger and performing under fire in spite of our fear. That is simply what the business requires.
Loyalty: To be committed. We value this virtue because we depend on each other. When faced with the high stakes of our job, we rely on those to our right and left. We are committed to our responsibilities and to our department. Regardless of our feelings, when it’s “go time,” we’ve got each other’s back. We find strength in this commonality and are loyal to the profession, to our team, and to the “calling.”
These are just the opinions of two firefighters; what do these tenets mean to you? How would you and your team define these eight virtues? Once defined, ask yourself if the Maltese cross is branded on your heart or just sewn on your sleeve. Are you made in the image of those Knights of St. John? Do you breathe the essence of a firefighter, and does your heart beat to the ethos of our culture? Do you wear the Maltese cross with pride?
References
1. “The eight points of the Maltese Cross and their meaning,” Dr. Michael Foster SSC. http://www.netpages.free-online.co.uk/gms/eight.htm.
2. Official Report of the Hansard Legislative Assembly, 1997, Vol 7:2.
EDMUND J. ENRIGHT, a third-generation firefighter with the Chicago (IL) Fire Department, retired as a deputy district chief after 38 years of duty, having served on engine, truck, and squad companies. He has been an adjunct field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute since 1986 and has an associate degree in fire science. He has instructed for the Chicago Fire Academy, the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association, and FDIC. He is a keynote and motivational speaker and a Vietnam veteran.
KURT GLOSSER, a third-generation firefighter, has served in the volunteer fire service since 1996. He is a lieutenant with the Savoy (IL) Fire Department. He has been an education specialist for the Illinois Fire Service Institute since 2004 and has a master’s degree in human resource development. He is an Iraq veteran.
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