Chief Executive John Lee announced on Tuesday that the 59-strong government rescue team sent to Turkey after February's devastating earthquake will be the first recipients of the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance.

Lee said that the bravery and professionalism of the team - primarily composed of the Fire Services' Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team - fully embodied the meaning of the award, which he introduced in his inaugural policy address.

"The rescue team faced various difficulties and dangers there, including the threat of aftershocks and the safety risks posed by falling buildings. The roads were severely damaged and the weather was extremely cold," Lee said.

"However, the rescue team did not let go of any opportunity to save lives."

The team pulled four people alive from the rubble of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated southern and central Turkey and northwestern Syria.

Yiu Men-Yeung, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer who led the team, said he was happy that the team was being honoured with the award, but insisted they were simply firefighters doing their duty to save lives.

"The victims in this disaster can still face their lives with strength, they are the real heroes of their own lives," Yiu said.

Civil service chief, Ingrid Yeung, said her colleagues had demonstrated extraordinary courage and solid team spirit.

"[They] have successfully completed an extremely difficult task of rescuing four survivors under risky and harsh conditions," she said.