The SAR's search and rescue team deployed to earthquake-stricken Myanmar in March and the interdepartmental preparation team for the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park have received this year’s Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance.

It’s the first time that two civil service teams have won the award at the same time.

In a presentation ceremony on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee said the two teams are the role model for civil servants.

“The two outstanding teams being awarded this time have shown their strengths," he said.

"Not only have they set an example for the civil service, but they also represent the SAR government’s belief in striving for excellence and facing challenges without fear.

“They have written a good story of exemplary civil servants through their actions, making us all proud,” he added.

The SAR search and rescue team – made up of civil servants from the Security Bureau, Fire Services and Immigration departments, as well as medical professionals from the Hospital Authority – went to Myanmar after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the country in March.

In joint operations with the China Search and Rescue Team, they rescued one survivor who had been trapped for more than 125 hours. The SAR team also found two bodies under the debris.

Team commander Cheu Yu-kok said the Hong Kong rescuers encountered difficult conditions in Myanmar, with extreme heat proving particularly challenging.

“We faced extremely hot weather, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius that made our team members exert immense physical [efforts] in daytime operations," he said.

"And even in nighttime, we cannot have a perfect rest after difficult operations with the hot weather and presence of mosquitoes.

“We got the rotation mechanism that puts members in different groups and can help them to make a perfect rest cycle and to [lessen] their physical exertions,” he added.

The Kai Tak Sports Park preparation team was made up of civil servants from the Culture, Sports and Tourism; Security; Civil Service; and Transport and Logistics bureaus, along with the police force.

The preparation team conducted around 20 test events in the five months in the runup to the park's opening in March, including five large-scale drills that saw 140,000 civil servants mobilised in order to evaluate capabilities involving the new venue.

“There’re a lot of uncertainties towards the operation within the venues and also on the ancillary facilities of the Kai Tak Sports Park, so we have to be prepared for different scenarios,” said Henry Mak of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

“When we do put that planning into operation during some 20 test events and stress tests over the five months since last October, we have to act quickly and react quickly to review what the arrangements were and what improvements we could identify, so we would be confident about the operation and the overall experience for the citizens and tourists.”