For who: Children ages 6-12 (boys and girls)

Purpose: To instill in children their significance and value. To teach using positive role models to mentor and foster healthy, spiritual, and emotional growth.

How: Through the local church, Christian firefighters will meet with participating children using biblical principles to guide them in the areas of truth, integrity, perseverance, loyalty, and humility among other personal characteristics, traits, and values.

Mission statement: It is the mission of the “First Due” program to foster positive attitudes in those participating, children and adults. To use biblical principles and teachings that will instill faith and confidence in God and themselves. To follow the commandments established by God, through Moses, to have fun and allow them to be children. And again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again he says, “Here I am, and the children God has given me.” Hebrews 2:13 NIV

Concept: To have the local church establish a Sunday school program that will be led by at least one firefighter from their church and reach out to families in their community. To identify and invite six to twelve year old boys and girls for the purpose of teaching them that they are important, have value in God’s eyes, and that they are truly a blessing.

Vision: The “First Due” program would grow one church at a time. To start in my church, Community Church of Santa Clara (CcofSC), and then identify other churches and help them start a “First Due” program. When “First Due” is up and running, each of the groups will gather once a year for a camp event. This will reinforce what has already been learned. Arrange outdoor events and activities for the age groups involved along with chapel and worship. To eat, have fun, work together, and sleep in a dormitory type setting with each child learning responsibilities of a social community.

History: The idea for “First Due” comes from the fire service. Each fire station is responsible for its own geographical area. This area is commonly known as the first due area. The name for this program refers to an area or community surrounding the given church. The idea is to canvas the community and invite families to church with the goal of family members between the ages of six and twelve to be involved in this program. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14 NIV

Logo: The logo for “First Due’ has been developed because the Maltese cross and its historical tie between Christians and what is believed to be the first known firefighters. The Maltese cross is the emblem worn by every firefighter today and signifies they’re willing to lay down their life for others. The Maltese cross has eight points on it and they each have a meaning associated with it. Each point represents Love, Loyalty, Truth, Integrity, Faith, Courage, Obedience, and Perseverance. Each one of these will become the basis for this program with biblical referenced teaching.

The “Star of Life” is a symbol for emergency medical services which displays a staff with a serpent wrapped around it. This coincides with and is referenced in the Bible during Moses’ time: Numbers 21:9.

Short-term goal: Develop the basic concept into a viable program, arrange and provide training for leaders, and develop teaching material. Look at how this could affect remaining age groups in the church and help prepare those ministries. Arrange a one or two week camp program with an established campground. Develop a website for any who may be searching for a program like this for their church or family and to allow an avenue for fundraising.

Mid range goal: Establish a working model in CCofSC and take this to other local churches. When the other churches are up and running, they will be included in the camp event. Establish training for all leaders for teaching and camp outings.

Long-range goal: Establish this program across the county, state, nationally, and develop a worldwide ministry for foreign missions.

Camp vision: Obtain a piece of property large enough to support a church or chapel building, a common dining building with indoor and outdoor eating areas. Erect wall tents or wood framed cabins to house up to 24 bunks with lavatory/shower amenities, a stable and tack room for horses, an archery range, hiking trails, and to have a stream, lake, or pond for the purpose of performing baptisms.

Children would attend the camp from all the “First Due” groups and the final Sunday would be to baptize any who are ready. Parents would be invited to this service and if they have been baptized, they would be given the opportunity baptize their child. The child who is completing their last year will receive an adoption certificate into the family of Jesus Christ and a Firefighter’s Bible. See attached documents on the history of the Maltese cross and the star of life currently used by the fire service and EMS.

Origin of the Maltese Cross: The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection, a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old. When a courageous band of crusaders, known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device of war; it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters of the Cross. The Saracens' weapon was fire!

As the Crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were attacked by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming tree into their midst. Hundreds of Knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives to save their brothers in arms from dying painful deaths. Thus, these men became the first fire fighters...and the first of a long list of courageous Fire Fighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each hero with a badge of honor-a cross similar to the one Fire Fighters wear today.

Since the Knights of St. John lived for nearly four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea, named Malta, the Cross became known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection. It means that the fire fighter that wears this Cross is willing to lay down his life, just as the Crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow men so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a Fire Fighter's Badge of Courage...a ladder-rung away from death. History of the Star of Life

The Blue "Star of Life" -The Emergency Medical Care Symbol
by Arline Zatz

Just as a pharmacist has the mortar and pestle and doctors have the caduceus, Emergency Medical Technicians have a symbol, its use is encouraged both by the American Medical Association and the Advisory Council within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The symbol applies to all emergency medical goods and services which are funded under the DOT/EMS program.

The Bible, in Numbers 21:9, makes reference to a serpent on a staff: "And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. (NAS)