KABARMEGAPOLITAN.com – International Firefighters Day May 4, know the terrible tragedy behind this commemoration. Firefighters were the first organized professionals whose job was to fight structural fires living in Ancient Egypt. However, at that time, firefighters worked for private companies that provided their services only to those who could afford them.
Later, in Ancient Rome, Ceasar Augustus revolutionized firefighting by calling for the creation of fire guards, called Vigiles, trained, paid, and equipped by the state.
International Firefighters Day was created in 1999, after 5 firefighters died tragically during bushfires in Australia, when the wind direction suddenly changed and engulfed them in flames.
International Firefighters Day is celebrated on May 4, because it is the day of Saint Florian, one of the first firefighters of the real Roman battalion and who saved many lives, and the patron saint of firefighters.
Also Read: Cool! This is the history behind the celebration of International Firefighters Day on May 4
The event that led to the creation of International Firefighters Day occurred on December 2, 1998 in the Community of Linton, Australia.
The event was so tragic that it shook the entire world. Linton is a populated area in Victoria, Australia, and firefighters at the time were dealing with a massive bushfire. They called for mutual aid.
This resulted in the Geelong West Fre Brigade attending the scene. They had no idea of the tragedy and despair that awaited them.
Matthew Armstrong, Jason Thomas, Stuart Davidson, Chris Evans, and Garry Vredeveldt were all loaded onto the truck.
They were sent to help put out the fire as part of a strike team. However, as they entered the hot zone, the wind suddenly changed direction, resulting in the truck being engulfed in flames, with all five members losing their lives.
Also Read: Cool! This is the history behind the celebration of International Firefighters Day on May 4
It was a very tragic event, and resulted in a day to celebrate firefighters and all they do for us.
International Firefighters Day has an important symbol associated with it, and this is the blue and red ribbon.
The ribbon is cut one cm wide and five cm long, with two different colors joined at the top.
Blue and red were chosen by JJ Edmondson, because of the symbolism associated with the colors. Blue is designed to represent water while red represents fire.
Not only that, these two colors are also known throughout the world as a symbol of emergency services.
Ribbons also represent a simple, but effective way to show support for firefighters around the world.***
