MFB, CFA still in the dark over fire services restructure

A SECRET taskforce set up by Premier Daniel Andrews to look at restructuring the CFA and the MFB appears to have failed to consult either ­organisation.

A SECRET taskforce set up by Premier Daniel Andrews to look at restructuring the CFA and the MFB appears to have failed to consult either ­organisation.

The Cabinet subcommittee, called the Fire Services Taskforce, is looking at whether the state’s fire services can be split into separate volunteer and paid firefighter organisations in a bid to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute.

An email to CFA employees from chairman Greg Smith, which has been obtained by the Herald Sun, suggests the CFA has not been asked for input on what would be a radical overhaul.

The CFA does not appear to have been consulted. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Mr Smith told staff he had written to Emergency Services Minister James Merlino “to outline our expectation that we are properly consulted”.

“I want to assure you the board and leadership of CFA will be strongly advocating for the best interests of our iconic organisation,” Mr Smith said.

The taskforce is expected to make a submission to Cabinet today.

It is believed senior MFB leaders have also not been consulted about the plan, which would likely position more ­career firefighters in urbanised areas, while using volunteers in a separate organisation in regional areas.

Premier Daniel Andrews would not be drawn today on whether he was about to split the fire services.