Fire Fighters & EMTs

The St. Florian Cross used by most Fire Departments as their logo originates back to St. Florian. Saint Florian was a Christian holy man, and the patron saint of Linz, Austria; chimney sweeps; soapmakers, and firefighters. His feast day is May 4. St. Florian is also the patron of Upper Austria, jointly with Saint Leopold. He joined the Roman Army and advanced in the ranks, rising to commander of the imperial army in the Roman province of Noricum. In addition to his military duties, he was also responsible for organizing and leading firefighting brigades. Florian organized and trained an elite group of soldiers whose sole duty was to fight fires.

Seen here the Rod of Asclepius, is often paired with the Florian Cross for medical technicians with the Fire Department.
Greek mythology, the Rod of Asclepius also known as the Staff of Asclepius (sometimes also spelled Asklepios or Aesculapius) and as the asklepian,is a serpent-entwined rod wielded by the Greek god , a deity associated with healing and medicine. The symbol has continued to be used in modern times, where it is associated with medicine and health care, yet frequently confused with the staff of the god Hermes, the caduceus. Theories have been proposed about the Greek origin of the symbol and its implications.