Union claims shock departure of CFA boss was ’orchestrated public campaign’

The United Firefighters Union has unleashed some explosive claims on the shock departure of CFA chief officer Steve Warrington.

CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington resigned from the top job last week.

The United Firefighters Union claims the shock departure of CFA chief officer Steve Warrington is part of an “orchestrated public campaign” against paid firefighters.

Mr Warrington resigned last week as CFA volunteers said they had been betrayedby the State Government on the eve of a major restructure of Victoria’s fire services.

The Herald Sun understands Mr Warrington had refused to sign a legal instrument to allow career staff from the new Fire Rescue Victoria agency to be seconded back to key roles in the CFA.

UFU boss Peter Marshall told his members on Sunday there was a “a last-ditch attempt to slander your profession, your new fire service, and to lower your standing within the community”.

He told UFU members to not respond to “ill-conceived and inflammatory attacks”.

Uinited Firfighters Union chief Peter Marshall claims the shock departure is part of an “orchestrated public campaign”

Emergency Management Victoria’s Catherine Greaves will take over as the CFA’s temporary chief executive as the restructure — with all paid CFA and MFB firefighters moving to FRV — goes live on Wednesday.

In an email to CFA volunteers seen by the Herald Sun, CFA chairman Greg Smith addressed Mr Warrington’s departure from the organisation after a 40-year CFA career.

“The board has accepted Steve’s resignation, and understands and acknowledges his reasons for taking this decision,” Mr Smith said.

An acting chief officer is expected to be named this week, splitting the top job, which had been merged into one and held by Mr Warrington.

Ms Greaves has previously worked as EMV’s Executive Director of Workforce Planning and the Department of Justice and Community Safety’s Executive Director of Corporate Governance and Support Transformation Project, as well as Director of Corporate Services at EMV

“She has an extensive background in people services, organisational development and corporate planning, and a strong understanding of local communities,” Mr Smith said.

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