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The Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (June 22) expressed great sadness over the death of Senior Station Officer, Mr Thomas Cheung, in a No.4 alarm fire in Ngau Chi Wan. He sent his deepest condolences to the officer's family. He also wished the other officers injured while fighting the blaze a speedy recovery.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of a brave, outstanding, exemplary and dedicated civil servant. I know that the Civil Service Bureau and the Fire Services Department are closely liaising with the Mr Thomas Cheung's family and will provide our utmost assistance to help them through this difficult time," Mr Cheung said.
"In addition, as Chairman of the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others in my capacity as Secretary for Labour and Welfare, I hope that we will be able to render more support to the family as soon as possible and give recognition to Mr Thomas Cheung's bravery under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others (the Scheme)."
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/Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:30
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