Greg Cook SESVA President advises the passing of former NSW SES Director General – Major General Brian (Hori) Howard AO MC ESM (Rtd), who passed away on Thursday and express the SESVA condolences to his family, friends and the Emergency Services community.
Hori led NSW SES from 1989 to 2001 and during this time oversaw significant improvements, steering the agency towards a more professional approach in relation to its combat roles. This included modernising equipment, communications systems and vehicles, as well as improving the training standards of our members, and developing plans that guided the agency’s response to flood and storm threats.
During his time as Director General, Hori led a number of emergency operations in response to major flooding and severe storms in NSW and was and was awarded the Emergency Services Medal for his efforts.
By the time he retired from the NSW SES, Hori had significantly improved the SES profile in the community, setting a solid foundation for the developments that were to follow for the future SES.
He also held numerous Board roles, such as Chair of the NSW State Emergency Management Committee, Chair of the Australian Council of State Emergency Services and the Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Damien Johnston offered his condolences on behalf of the SES to Hori’s family. “Hori was one of our longest-serving Director Generals, who left a lasting legacy on the NSW SES, and he will be sorely missed,” he said.
