Tomball Fire Department
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Tomball Fire Department Historical Facts

• History of the Tomball Fire Department

• History of the Maltese Cross

Tomball Fire Department
     The City of Tomball, Texas was founded in 1907 but the Tomball Fire Department was not founded until 1934. The initial beginnings of the fire department consisted of one station with most of the apparatus and equipment donated by the Humble Oil Co. This station was later moved to the city hall complex located on Walnut Street.

     In 1980, a second station (Station2) was built with donated materials and volunteer labor. This station will be abandoned upon completion of a new station in the Fall of 2005. This station will serve the south portion of our fire district.

     A third station (Central Fire Station) was completed in 1997 and contains four apparatus bays, offices, meeting/training room, dorm, day room and kitchen. An additional two bays were added in 2001 to house a new engine/tanker and 95 foot tower.

We Need your help

     The Historian is seeking individuals who have information, historical pictures and memorabilia about the history of the Tomball Fire Department.  Our department has a rich history, and it is our goal is to gather and preserve those resources before they are lost forever.  One of our first goals is to assemble a Fire Chiefs picture gallery to be displayed at the Central Fire Station.  If you have pictures of former Fire Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, officers, or any past members, we would really appreciate you sharing those with us. 

     If you have items large or small that you would like to donate to the Tomball Fire Department's historical office, or if you have personal knowledge of the history of Tomball Fire Department, we want to hear from you.  It is our future goal to publicly display all of these items, so that everyone can see and enjoy our rich history.  We do this to honor the men and women who have volunteered in the past, and those who are currently serving this community.  We encourage you to contact the historian, Jodi Adams and share what you know, your input is very valuable to us.  Email: historian@tomballfd.com.   

The Maltese Cross

A good many individuals, including fire personnel are not aware of the complete significance of the eight points on the Maltese Cross. Here they are:

 

 From the days of the first crusade, the cross has been the symbol of the Christian warrior who pledged not only to fight in defense of the Holy Land, but also to protect the lives of his compatriots. The Maltese Cross now worn by modern firefighters is actually an adaptation of a particular crusader insignia, the cross of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem...

 The Knights, one of the oldest orders of warrior monks that fought for Christendom, took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Also known as Hospitallers, the monks maintained a hospital for pilgrims in Jerusalem. Then that city became the center of the crusade-embattled lands, the brothers militarized their order, but continued to protect pilgrims and extend their charity to the sick and poor.

 Because of the extensive armor that covered their bodies and faces, the Knights were unable to distinguish friend from foe in battle, so the need for an identifiable emblem for the Knights became crucial. Since they fought their battles for a holy cause, they chose the Cross of Calvary, a white or silver cross on a dark background. After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, the Knights of St. John moved to the island of Malta.

 During the crusades, many Knights became firefighters out of necessity. Their enemies had resorted to throwing bombs and sailing war vessels containing naphtha.

 Hundreds of Knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives to save their brothers in arms from dying painful fiery deaths.

 Thus these men became our first firefighters and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each hero a Badge of Honor ; a cross similar to the one firefighters wear today.

 The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his/her life for you, just as Crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so may years ago.

 The Maltese Cross is a Firefighter's badge of honor, signifying that he/she works in courage... a ladder-run away from death.