Is there any significance to the "floral" design or decorative border to this seal? I know most everything in the fire service uniform realm has historical significance or tradition so just trying to see where this fits? I've seen it on several colors of seals for badges. Anyone know?
The only thing I can think of, is that traditionally during displays and parades, chiefs will carry the old bugle/horn with flowers in/around them, and that this is some reference to that. Some form of a wreath.
This is completely a guess, but do you think that's got a connection to gold leaf decoration? It kind of looks like the gold threads on a chief officer hat too.
Maybe they are supposed to represent oak leaves? Many military and police/fire badges use wreaths in their designs, here is the Army Master Parachutist and a typical police badge. According to the Army website, the oak leaf cluster or wreath "symbolizes steadfastness, strength and loyalty."