Andrews Government refuses to back MFB chief to head up Fire Rescue Victoria after reforms pass

British firefighter Dan Stephens was brought in to head the MFB and was tipped to take the reins of Fire Rescue Victoria after a massive search. But he’s now likely to be overlooked for the top job.

The British firefighter expected to lead the state’s new fire agency is likely to be overlooked for the top job amid difficulties with United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall.

Dan Stephens was brought in last year to head the Metropolitan Fire Brigade after an international search and to take the reins of Fire Rescue Victoria, to be set up after the government’s fire services reforms passed parliament on Thursday night.

But Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville on Friday refused to back Mr Stephens as FRV’s new chief, saying the government would “go through a process” and she would like to see more women in senior roles.

The Herald Sun understands Mr Stephens has had a difficult relationship with Mr Marshall, which insiders say has contributed to the government’s willingness to consider other options.

Asked if he wanted the job, Mr Stephens said: “That’s really a matter for the minister.”

MFB chief Dan Stephens is expected to be overlooked for the Fire Rescue Victoria top job. Picture: James Ross/AAP

CFA deputy chief officer Stephanie Rotarangi — who Ms Neville mentioned as she talked up the need for more senior opportunities for women — is believed to be a candidate.

The controversial overhaul of the state’s fire services will be implemented by mid-next year, with all career MFB and CFA firefighters moved to the new agency.

A new workplace agreement will have to be negotiated with the UFU. While Ms Neville said the government was committed to a two per cent cap on wage increases for all public servants including firefighters, she promised “no one will be worse off” from the change.

Opposition emergency services spokesman Brad Battin slammed the restructure, saying it “effectively hands control across to the United Firefighters Union” and risked Victorians’ safety.

He said volunteers had been “treated like second-class citizens” and he feared many would resign, threatening the ability to deal with major incidents such as Black Saturday.

CFA chief Steve Warrington said it was “bordering on insulting to suggest that our volunteers are going to walk away”, and the authority would boost training and resources.

Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria chief Adam Barnett said volunteer firefighters were “incredibly disappointed” but that they would overcome that because of their “profound sense of duty to their communities”.

Premier Daniel Andrews said there was no need for volunteers to leave the CFA, saying they had been used as “a political football” in the long-running dispute.

MORE: MARSHALL LASHES OUT AT “ANTI-UNION” MFB BOSS

STEPHENS SAYS UFU IS “GOING TO LOVE ME”

ERUPTIONS AND TANTRUMS IN DAN’S SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

He said the current firefighting structure was “not fit for purpose” and backed the “fully funded” new model to deal with a growing population and a changing climate.

“There’s not many things that were built in the 1950s that work as they should today,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr Marshall thanked the government for delivering the reforms and said: “There’s no animosity moving forward, it can only be a better place.”

He said presumptive rights to compensation for firefighters with cancer was the most important part of the legislation, immediately helping about 30 firefighters.

[e-mail]

@tminear