Fire Services funeral with full honours for Principal Fireman Yau Siu-ming
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A customary mourning ceremony open to government officials, community dignitaries, colleagues and members of the public will first be held at 9.30am.
The mourning ceremony will be followed by the Fire Services funeral with full honours starting at 10.15am. Senior government officials and the Director of Fire Services, Mr Li Kin-yat, will lay wreaths at the ceremony.
The hearse will leave the Universal Funeral Parlour at about 10.55am after the official ceremony. A Service Contingent will parade outside the funeral parlour to pay their last respects to Principal Fireman Yau.
The hearse will arrive at Ma On Shan Country Park at about 11.20am. An on-site ceremony will be held for local dignitaries and residents of the local district to lay wreaths.
The hearse will then proceed to Tin Sum Fire Station at Fu Kin Street, Tai Wai, Sha Tin. A Service Contingent will parade in the forecourt of the fire station to pay last tributes to Mr Yau. Local dignitaries will also lay wreaths at the ceremony.
The cortege will then leave for Gallant Garden at Wo Hop Shek Cemetery for the burial service.
The following is a brief biography of Principal Fireman Yau Siu-ming:
Principal Fireman Yau Siu-ming was born in 1966 and received his education in Hong Kong. He joined the FSD as a fireman in 1987. With his meritorious performance, he was promoted to Principal Fireman in 2010 and then posted to Ma On Shan Fire Station and Tin Sum Fire Station.
Throughout his 30 years of service with the FSD, Principal Fireman Yau demonstrated himself to be an enterprising, assiduous and dedicated member well respected by his colleagues. His professionalism and leadership were amply displayed in a number of firefighting and rescue operations, where he took charge of his team with great efficiency and proficiency. Firefighting and rescue duties aside, he also served as a voluntary Fire Safety Educator under the Fire Safety Education in Kindergarten Programme in his leisure time and was an active member of the Hong Kong Fire Services Cycling Club. An avid learner, Principal Fireman Yau pursued lifelong learning and obtained a Certificate in General Studies through the Yi Jin Programme organised by the Caritas Community and Higher Education Service, and a Bachelor's Degree in Education through the Programme in Sports Training by Beijing Sport University.
When attending a mountain rescue operation at Tiu Shau Ngam, Ma On Shan on March 22, 2017, Principal Fireman Yau sustained serious injuries in the line of duty and sadly passed away. His tragic death is a great loss not only to the FSD but also to the community at large. His gallantry and selflessness will stay in the minds of the people of Hong Kong forever.
Aged 50 at the time of his death, Principal Fireman Yau is survived by his wife and a 6-year-old son.
Ends/Friday, April 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:15
Issued at HKT 17:15
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