The History of the Irish Firefighter
March 2, 2025
Monthly Spiritual Reflection
St. Patrick was a young man who was carried off to Ireland as a slave in 432 AD, escaped, and later returned to share his faith with his captors. He used the three-leafed clover as a teaching tool to help explain the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity – God (Father), Son, and Holy Spirit, and convert many Irish to Christianity.
When large numbers of Irish immigrated to this country following a famine, they brought many of their traditions with them, including the Shamrock. Finding rampant racism against the Irish they had difficulty finding jobs other than dirty, dangerous work such as firefighters and police officers that no one else wanted.
These early Irish firefighters began affixing images of the Shamrock to their apparatus and uniforms not only as a display of Irish-American pride but also as an inconspicuous message to their fellow Irishmen advertising that the fire service was a place that wouldn’t discriminate against them. Today, by tradition, many truck companies have a shamrock somewhere in their logo, on their apparatus, or their helmet and Irish firefighters continue to wear the Shamrock.
As the grandson of Irish immigrants, I am proud of my Irish heritage and consider it an honor to be able to contribute to the fire service in my own way as a Chaplain. If you can’t attend what is perhaps the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world in downtown Chicago on Saturday March 15th, be sure to wear something green in solidarity with your fellow members of the fire service with Irish roots. After all, on St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated since 1756, “On St. Patrick’s Day, we’re ALL IRISH!”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, stay safe, and remember I’m here if you need me!
Chaplain Sean Gartland
Seangartland2009@yahoo.com (262) 352-9805
Note: St. Patrick’s Day is officially on March 17th, but observances are often held the weekend prior to the actual date! (Adapted from: https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/firefighter-history-3-17-happy-saint-patricks-day/)