March 3, 1998
To: Emergency and Protective Services Committee
From: Fire Chief Alan F. Speed
Subject: Identification and Name
Purpose :
To present, for approval, the new official name as the
and the new emblem (see attached) to be used as identification on uniforms, vehicles, equipment and other areas as required.
Financial Implications:
- 6 embroidered crests for each Member to change Tunic, Parka and Jacket - $20,000.
- 1998 Uniform needs for embroidered crests 35,000.
- 1999 Uniform needs for embroidered crests 45,000.
The total required is $ 100,000.
This is $80,000. related to 1998 and 1999 uniform costs as required in the Firefighters Collective Agreement and $20,000. related transition costs for change in identity.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) The official name be
and that this name be used on all appropriate areas such as letterhead and business cards; and
(2) The attached design be approved as the emblem of Toronto Fire Services; and
(3) This emblem be used as an embroidered or silk screened crest as required for uniform items issued to staff members; and
(4) This emblem be reproduced on items which may be sold for profit to help support the Education Centre and new public education efforts.
Background:
As part of the fire department amalgamation process, we considered there should be confirmation of an official name and we require a new crest to be used on uniforms, vehicles and other areas. This process will help in the unification of identity throughout the new city and will assist the unification of staff members, which is very important for a group that must operate as a team under emergency conditions.
The selection process started in November of 1997. As part of my first video newsletter, I asked staff to forward designs for a new crest and suggestions for a name to be used by the new department. This request resulted in over 100 design submissions and several possibilities for the official name.
Early in Feb./98 a committee of 14 members, two from each of the former departments and two representing the Firefighters Association, was formed. This committee met with a facilitator, to review the submission for both the crest and the name. Their task was to come to consensus on a name and crest design using submissions received. We consider the final decision of this committee was reached through true consensus. All members were encouraged to participate fully and no single idea was allowed to dominate.
To illustrate this consensus we think it is important to point out the final design is not from any one submission. The committee used major elements of designs submitted by Fire Fighter William Evans, of the former North York, and retired Fire Fighter Alex Zubatiuk, of the former Scarborough. These elements were put together with two smaller elements which were used in many submissions. Both gentlemen were contacted to confirm their agreement with this use of their designs. The committee also reviewed names that were submitted and those names that were included in the crest designs.
New Crest
The attached reproduction of the crest incorporated symbols used by the fire service world wide and incorporates images unique to Canada and Toronto.
The main shape of the crest is the red stylized Maltese Cross outlined in gold. The Maltese Cross has been used as a symbol of the fire services since the first organized fire brigades. The cross is superimposed with the city name at the top and the word fire at the bottom in white. The right arm of the cross is superimposed with a ladder and pike pole which are two identifiable tools of the fire service. The left arm is superimposed with the staff and serpent representing our involvement in emergency medical response.
At the center of the cross is a circle with a red maple leaf representing Canada, the distinctive Toronto skyline with Skydome and the C.N. Tower. The six blue lines in the foreground represents Lake Ontario and the six fire departments that have come together to form the new Toronto Fire Services. The sky is black to better silhouette the skyline.
The EST. 1998 has been placed within a banner shape at the bottom of the circle and extends into the cross to represent a tying together. This banner shape will also be used under the crest in some application with an appropriate slogan or motto.
Name
The name the committee selected is
