The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre has announced the death of chairman Laurie Hammond following a short illness.

Dr Hammond was appointed independent chairman of the centre when it began in 2013, and CEO Richard Thornton says he was “integral to the growth and development of the centre”.

“His leadership at the board level and his strategic advice to management was always insightful, timely and welcomed,” Dr Thornton said. “Laurie will be sadly missed by all of us here… and by his colleagues across the emergency services and management sector.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with his wife and family, and with his large network of professional colleagues.”