Hong Kong rescue team deployed to quake-hit Turkey wins inaugural Chief Executive’s Award
Hong Kong Free Press
The 59-strong search and rescue team which was deployed to Turkey in the wake of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February has won the inaugural Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance.
Civil servants from the Security Bureau, Fire Services Department, Department of Health and the Immigration Department took eight tonnes worth of rescue gear, and two search and rescue dogs, to the quake-hit region. They rescued four people and found six bodies under the rubble during a 216-hour operation, the government said in a Tuesday press release.
According to Chief Executive John Lee’s 2022 Policy Address, the prize aims to recognise “meritorious and exemplary teams or individuals in the civil service.”
Lee said in the Tuesday press release that members of the team had lived up to the spirit of the award. “The search and rescue team faced difficulties and dangers of different kinds on the ground, including threats of aftershocks, safety risks posed by collapsed structures, severely damaged roads and very cold weather. The team, however, did not let go of any opportunity to save lives.”
“Team members risked their own lives to accomplish an extremely challenging mission. They carried out the search and rescue work with a strong passion for life and great professionalism, and the operation demonstrated good cross-departmental teamwork.”
A nomination process began in March, with the Civil Service Bureau inviting bureaux to nominate outstanding teams or colleagues. Over 20 nominations were received, with the finalist being chosen by committees led by senior departmental officials.
Lee told the press at a weekly briefing on Tuesday that the annual award would encourage excellence. “I will use the awardees as examples to tell the civil service what are the things I want them to do,” Lee said.
“It is through awarding the actual team whose work will tell the exemplary stories of what I would like to promote and I would like the civil service to subscribe to and work to.”
A presentation ceremony will be held in mid-July.
Support HKFP | Code of Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.
