Families of two deceased brave firemen given financial assistance
*****************************************************************
The late Mr Cheung and the late Mr Hui sacrificed their lives on June 21, 2016, and June 23, 2016, respectively while attending a No. 4 alarm fire and rescuing people possibly trapped at the scene at Amoycan Industrial Centre, 7 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Kowloon.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, is also the Chairman of the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others, which approved the grants. He paid warm tribute to the late Mr Cheung and the late Mr Hui for their gallant acts when he personally presented the notification letters to the family members of the two brave deceased firemen at the Hong Kong Fire Services Department headquarters today.
"The late Mr Cheung and the late Mr Hui demonstrated a high degree of gallantry and selflessness to save and protect the lives of others. They spared no effort in saving and protecting the lives of others, risking their own lives even in the face of grave danger. They made huge contributions to Hong Kong and their professionalism and self-sacrifice command our greatest respect," Mr Cheung said.
"We deeply mourn the loss of such outstanding and devoted public servants. The grants represent the Government's full recognition of the late Mr Cheung's and the late Mr Hui's acts of exceptional courage and gallantry of the highest order."
The Scheme was set up in January 2002 to provide financial assistance to family members of those who lose their lives attempting to save or protect others. Under the Scheme, the amount of financial assistance for each approved application is worked out according to a formula having regard to the age and normal retirement age of the deceased and the prevailing median monthly employment earnings, with the minimum and maximum levels set currently at $4.5 million and $9 million respectively.
Ends/Thursday, July 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
NNNN