Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Ken Block quits, returns to home in Canada

Victoria’s leading fire agency boss won’t be returning to the top job weeks after flying home to Canada. It follows rumours he’d been planning an exit strategy for some time.

Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Ken Block has quit, effective immediately.

Mr Block had returned to his native Canada to attend to personal issues and had told the government he won’t be returning.

In a note to FRV colleagues, obtained by the Herald Sun, Mr Block thanked United Firefighters Union Secretary Peter Marshall, President David Hamilton and members for playing an integral role in the organisation’s progress.

“It’s also important that I extend my deepest personal gratitude and appreciation to all of you, the members of FRV, whether uniformed, administrative, professional, or technical, for the fantastic support extended to me during my time here in Victoria, which has been remarkable,” he said.

Commissioner Block and leading firefighter Dave Rylance at the launch of the Fire Rescue Victoria drone aviation unit. Picture: Sarah Matray

“I have been privileged and blessed to have worked with and been supported by so many great people.

“It truly is the people who make the service, and I’m proud to say the communities of Victoria are being served by the very best in the fire and rescue service. You all can be proud of your contribution to FRV and the service being provided to our communities.

“I’m proud to say that together over the first 33 months of our journey, FRV has made significant progress. While it truly is a marathon and not a sprint, we are on the right track.”

It comes two weeks after the Herald Sun raised questions with FRV about Mr Block’s return home.

At the time, a spokesperson denied suggestions Mr Block would not be back, and said his leave was due to end at the end of March.

Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said Mr Block had been instrumental in establishing and leading Fire Rescue Victoria.

“He has built a highly professional emergency services agency, bringing professional firefighters together under one organisation with community safety at its core,” she said.

“I would like to thank Mr Block for his commitment and dedication to the role and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

Less than a year after starting the role in July 2020, Mr Block raised serious concerns about the operation of FRV.

In an explosive recording he was caught warning his top chiefs to shape up or ship out amid dissatisfaction with aspects of his organisation.

In the recording, obtained by the Herald Sun, Mr Block admitted the service was not working as a team.

Fire Rescue Victoria merged the old MFB and CFA in a controversial reform that angered many long-serving firefighters.

On the recording a frustrated Mr Block said he inherited a service “fraught with tension, mistrust, and people protecting their own turf” and said after eight months that the new service was still not running smoothly.

“That level of collaboration on the surface appeared to be there, but I’m here to tell you it really wasn’t,” he said.

“It didn’t translate into a seamless launch of Fire Rescue Victoria. Sadly with that lack of co-operation, we certainly did not hit July 1 firing on all cylinders.”

Mr Block said he feared some officers had since “lost the plot” and were more interested in protecting their careers than serving the community.

Sources said Mr Block had been planning an exit strategy for some time.

FRV Deputy Commissioner Gavin Freeman will continue to act as Fire Rescue Commissioner until a permanent commissioner is appointed.