Can you interpret these symbols?

[Kathy2]

I recently acquired a fireman's jacket that I have been fortunate to learn a lot about from some very nice people in this forum. But I am still hoping to learn what the symbols on the front and back of it mean. The symbol on the back is the same as the top one on the front. Pictures of it can be viewed at this URL:

hometown.aol.com/kathyk1296/index.html

If anyone can help, I would be very grateful.

Thank you,
Kathy

[fraise]

Kathy: it's actually two kanji put closely together. They read "ichiban", which means "first, number one". If you can display Japanese characters, here they are:
ˆê”Ô

On the lapels is written ‰Î‚Ì—pS which means something like "fire guard" or "care of fire".

For info, fireman/firefighter is Á–hŽm

[Kathy2]

Thank you, Fraise. It is wonderful to get some insight into what the symbols say!