Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority
Institutional Heraldry of the World :
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English |
Arms : Gules between ten Towers Or a bend wavy Argent thereon a bendlet wavy Azure. |
Origin/meaning
The arms were officially granted on August 18, 1989. Now used by the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Authority.
The shield has ten towers in gold representing the ten districts of the Authority, and across the shield runs a blue and white wavy bend which indicates water, the element most effective in the fight against fire. The shield is supported on each side by a lion rampant, one carrying a firefighter's axe and the other a scaling ladder representing the work of the Fire Authority.
The demi-Lion crest is incensed, i.e. having flames appearing from its mouth and ears as does the ground of the compartment to show fire and its threatening aspects.
The motto, 'Ever Vigilant', has been retained from the original Arms and is particularly suited for the role of a Fire and Civil Defence Authority.