Elaborating on the rule of law in a people-oriented approach
The Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance
Contribution of meritorious civil service team recognised and commended
Civil Service Bureau
Mr Lee announced in his 2022 Policy Address that the Government would strengthen the reward and punishment system for civil servants by launching the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance. The Award aims to openly recognise meritorious and exemplary civil service teams or individuals on a regular basis, encouraging them to constantly strive for excellence and showcasing more clearly to the public the Government’s work and the excellence of the civil service. After thorough consideration by the Selection Committee and the CE, the HKSAR search and rescue team deployed to the earthquake-stricken areas of Türkiye to help with the search and rescue mission received the inaugural Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance.
The 59-strong search and rescue team, led by the then commander Mr Yiu Men-yeung, comprised officers from ten different grades, of which 49 are from the former Urban Search and Rescue Team (now known as Disaster Response and Rescue Team) of the Fire Services Department (FSD), and ten are from the Security Bureau (SB), the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Department of Health (DH).
The HKSAR search and rescue team was deployed in February 2023 to carry out search and rescue operations in quake-stricken areas of Türkiye and rescued four survivors. In his speech delivered at the ceremony, Mr Lee commended the team for its commitment, perseverance, courage and professional competence, which the Government holds in high esteem. He also praised the team members for risking their lives during the operation and upholding the humanitarian spirit of “lives matter most”, thereby telling a good story of Hong Kong civil servants. He said the team was well-deserved to receive the inaugural Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance.
Mr Lee said the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance was launched to motivate civil servants to strive for excellence. “I encourage the civil service to look to the team as a role model and pursue excellence in their work, so as to bring into full play the spirit of teamwork and courageous commitment of the civil service, to take a result-oriented approach, and to safeguard public safety and health so that the public can live with greater safety, peace of mind and happiness,” he said.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, also extended heartfelt congratulations to the HKSAR search and rescue team for being awarded the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance. She said, “The 59-strong team worked in unity to overcome all the difficulties in the earthquake-stricken areas of Türkiye and rescued four people. The glory of humanity and the commitment expected of civil servants were manifested in their work, which has told the world an inspiring and touching story of Hong Kong civil servants. Their selfless devotion is the pride of Hong Kong people. The Award not only recognises outstanding teams and individuals, but also encourages all civil servants to take the awardees as role models and make ongoing efforts to strive for excellence.”
An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Türkiye on 6 February 2023. In view of the large number of casualties, countries around the world promptly offered help in rescue work. At the request of the Turkish Consulate General in Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government, in a short period of time, formed a 59-strong search and rescue team. With two rescue dogs and around eight tonnes of rescue tool, the team went to the quake-stricken areas of Türkiye on 8 February to participate in the rescue operation.
The search and rescue team arrived at the quake-stricken areas on 9 February. The weather was very cold there and the condition woeful. These, coupled with the vastness of the quake-stricken area and the fact that many buildings were damaged to various degrees, made it extremely dangerous and difficult to conduct search and rescue work. The team members had to employ technology in their work, for instance, using drones to conduct extensive assessments and produce 3D models of the affected areas, as well as locating survivors with such devices as life detectors.
Before embarking on the rescue mission, thorough preparation must be done. DH deployed four healthcare officers to take care the mental and physical health of the HKSAR search and rescue team by arranging all team members to receive vaccines against hepatitis A, typhoid fever and tetanus before departure. They also prepared sufficient medications, antiseptics and first-aid supplies to ensure proper infection control and prevent infectious disease and hypothermia. Round-the-clock medical support was also provided to ensure that team members were in their best conditions for the mission.
With the full support from the Mainland and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the HKSAR team joined the China search and rescue team in their operation in Türkiye. During the 6-day mission that lasted for 216 hours, 269 count of rescuers were sent in 19 batches. They searched through 13 areas of about 28,000 square metres, rescuing four survivors and recovering six bodies. With professional performance, the HKSAR search and rescue team has told the world the good story of Hong Kong civil service, winning the recognition of the Government and the people.
