Turkey quake rescuers honored

A rescue team from the Fire Services Department received the first Chief Executive’s Award For Exemplary Performance from Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chui at the Tamar government headquarters yesterday.

Fourty-nine members of Urban Search And Rescue Team (USART) were among 59 people of a rescue team sent to Turkey this February following an earthquake of magnitude 7.8. The team saved four lives and found six bodies under debris during the 216-hour search.

In addition to USART, other 10 members were from the Security Bureau, Health Bureau and the Immigration Department.

All 59 attended the award presentation ceremony.

“The HKSAR search and rescue team has shown unwavering determination, unparalleled courage and professional skills, fully embodying the outstanding performance that the government strives to uphold,” Lee said at the ceremony.

“They deserve the recognition as the first-ever award-winning team.”

It was USART’s first overseas mission since its formation in 2009. Commandant Yiu Men-yeung said the operation provided them first-hand experience in an international rescue task.

“The Chinese national rescue team has taught us a lot, including logistics and manpower arrangement,” Yiu said.

“For example, they had contacted the local Chinese embassy and business organizations to provide backup resources, so they could receive support once they arrived,” Yiu added.

Team member and acting senior fire officer Leung Chi-wang shared their story on the flight to Turkey.

“The broadcast mentioned that a rescue team was on board and other passengers applauded. We felt encouraged,” Leung said.

Leung was one of the officers who had found a survivor under the rubble.

“We would use the unmanned aircraft system to form a 3D diagram of the disaster area and rescue dogs and the life locator to detect survivors. Once we have located them, we would use a 360° camera to see the conditions underground and make a rescue plan,” Leung said.

He admitted that the communication technology could be improved, though.

“We will purchase better communication equipment, as we had briefly lost contact with front-line officers,” he said.

Yiu said training of the rescue teams would be adjusted according to the experience gained in Turkey. The final assessment for rescue members will be extended from 32 hours to 72 hours and held in a bigger training base in the mainland, he said.