NSW SES mourns the passing of long serving Director General

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) offers its condolences to the family of
former NSW SES Director General – Major General Brian (Hori) Howard AO MC ESM
(Rtd), who passed away on Thursday.

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.