The Avon Fire & Rescue Service badge
Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s current badge is based on the
eight pointed star used by all fire and rescue services.
Remaining true to its original design throughout the years, the
badge received an update in 2004 when Avon Fire Brigade became Avon
Fire & Rescue Service.
The origins of the eight pointed star used on the badges of fire
and rescue services can be traced back to the time of the Crusades
in the 1100 and 1200s. The star originates from the Maltese Cross,
the emblem of the Knights of Malta, and was used by the Knights of
Saint John of Jerusalem during the Crusades.
The Knights of Saint John was primarily a charitable,
non-military organisation, and many members were called upon to
perform heroic deeds, such as rescue fellow Knights and extinguish
fires. In acknowledgement of this bravery, these Knights wore a
Maltese Cross that was inscribed with their actions. It is
therefore likely that this is where the association of the Maltese
Cross with firefighters was born.
Further to this, the eight points, or tenets, of the star are
also believed to represent the qualities of tact, perseverance,
gallantry, loyalty, dexterity, explicitness, observation and
sympathy.
How much truth lies in these explanations is not known, but what
is commonly agreed is that the Maltese Cross, and variations of it,
is regarded as a symbol of protection and courage.
One of the earliest examples of the star being used by the fire
service can be seen in the brass eight pointed star adopted by the
National Fire Brigades Association in 1887.
When the Auxiliary Fire Service was formed in 1938, the Home
Office continued the use of the eight pointed star, which was
adopted by the National Fire Service when it was established in
1942. The eight pointed star remains the symbol of the fire and
rescue service today and all services across the country
incorporate the design into their badge.
The Sea Stag
Alongside the eight pointed star is a sea stag, taken from the
then Avon County Council’s County Arms. The sea stag combines the
head and front legs of a stag and the tail of a fish, to represent
two characteristic features of the Avon area - its forest and water
ways. The badge therefore links the historic importance of the
ports with the royal forests, which covered a large part of the old
county of Avon.
The stag is a 'stag royal' with six tines (spikes) on each
antler and a 'Fleur-de-Lys' crown around its neck to emphasise the
royal association. On the shoulder of the sea stag is a circle of
six white and blue waves, representing the rivers and springs of
the ‘county’. Finally a red circle surrounds the stag, which
although smaller, is taken from the old style badge.