Symbols in the firefighters maltese cross

I know most of the history behind the maltese. My newest fire department t-shirt has a maltese on it that contains a symbol I dont know. Its in the center of the cross. A long stick shape with a ball on top. I have had no luck finding an explenation for the parts of the symbol to answer my question. Does anyone know what this symbol is and where it comes from?

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Permalink Reply by Alan Shaw on November 11, 2009 at 8:59pm

The torch was a kind of oil lamp. The U shaped bracket allowed the torch to stay upright so the oil didn't spill out. The fact that this is a historical item for the fire service is exactly why they were carried in parades.

Interestingly enough while on vacation I saw a parade staff carried by a company president in a fire museum. The staff had a carved wooden flame on the top, which is probably an extension of this same history.