2008年8月10日旺角嘉禾大廈五級火災，兩位莫英勇消防員捨己救人殉職犧牲，令全城哀傷。消防員在危急時若遇上求救人士，若放棄拯救導致有人命喪將會終身遺憾；若奮不顧身進行搶救，或會犧牲自己，當天兩位英勇消防員蕭永芳及陳兆龍選擇了後者。

消防員是一份相當高危的行業，但同時亦富有很大使命感，他們的貢獻使市民的生命財產得到保障,因此港府應慎重考慮設定消防員日，高度表揚消防員的專業精神 ，作為對過往因工殉職的消防員一種尊敬；對現役消防員來說，亦是莫大的激勵和支持。

The significance of life is to sacrifice - fire-fighters are always the greatest heroes

Fitting tribute to firefighters


We were all saddened by the news that a factory blaze in Cheung Sha Wan claimed the life of a brave firefighter, 47-year-old Yeung Chun-kit.
He was trapped by wreckage during the fire.

His gallantry will not be forgotten.

The public realises that the efforts of personnel in the Fire Services Department have helped to make Hong Kong one of the safest cities in the world.

However, firemen are involved in dangerous work and sometimes it can cost them their lives.

In the past three years, four brave firemen have died in Hong Kong.

Courageous firefighters like senior fireman Yeung protect our lives and property.

We all admire their gallantry, team spirit, devotion to duty and professionalism.

Therefore, I think that we should have an annual Firefighters' Day in Hong Kong when we recognise the important role this group of professionals plays in our society.

On a more practical note, the relevant department must tighten the regulations regarding fire-safety equipment in buildings, especially those built before 1973 ("Killer fire exposes buildings hazard", March 10).

Industrial buildings erected before 1973 are not required to have sprinklers.

A new policy must be implemented that ensures sprinklers are fitted to these buildings.

This may prove costly but it is worth the money if it helps to save lives.