Victoria’s CFA boss, Steve Warrington, quits ahead of the state’s fire services controversial merger

Steve Warrington becomes third CFA boss to quit in four years over controversial Andrews government overhaul of fire services.

Former CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington speaks to the media at a press conference during the Victoria bushfire crisis. Warrington joined the CFA in 1978 and had been its chief officer since 2016. Picture: AAP

The head of Victoria’s Country Fire Authority has resigned just days before a controversial Andrews government overhaul of fire services was due to come into effect.

Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville announced CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington’s resignation, without explanation, in a late night press release on Thursday night.

From next week, the CFA’s 1220 brigades are set to become volunteer-only bodies, with career CFA firefighters currently based at 38 regional an outer-metropolitan locations merged with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade to become a single, statewide organisation known as Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).

The reforms come after years of lobbying by the powerful United Firefighters Union, and a heated industrial dispute between the union and CFA volunteers which saw the resignation of Jane Garrett as Andrews government emergency services minister in 2016.

The Andrews government sacked the entire CFA board that year, and the CFA‘s first female chief, Lucinda Nolan, and chief fire officer Joe Buffone, were among others who resigned — making Mr Warrington the third CFA fire chief to resign over the issue.

The Australian understands Ms Neville had directed the CFA board to approve documents relating to their merger with the MFB, and they had resisted and tried to negotiate, before capitulating on Tuesday night and directing Mr Warrington, who has been CEO as well as chief officer since May 2019, to sign off on them.

Mr Warrington refused, and subsequently resigned, having joined the CFA in 1978 and been its chief officer since 2016.

Emergency Volunteer Awareness Campaign director Garth Head, a senior adviser to the Bracks Labor government on emergency management, called for an independent inquiry into the issue, including into the minister’s role.

“It is more of the same inappropriate political and industrial interference in our fire services that puts community safety at risk that has been a feature of the Victorian government over the last few years,” Mr Head said.

“These actions are a violation of the Labor (policy) platform and traditions regarding fire and emergency services and public safety.

“The Victorian government needs to reconsider its direction and actions.

“The kick-off of FRV and its damaging effects on CFA and community safety needs must be suspended in the face of an independent, expert and transparent inquiry.”

State opposition emergency services spokesman Nick Wakeling said it was obvious why Mr Warrington had resigned.

“It’s a clear decision by the chief (that) he could not stay, given the direction of this government,” Mr Wakeling told ABC radio.

Ms Neville said in her press release, sent out shortly before 9pm on Thursday night, that Mr Warrington had let her know he was stepping down after more than 42 years of service in emergency management.

The minister detailed Mr Warrington’s career, which began as a volunteer with the Chelsea Fire Brigade in Melbourne’s southeast in 1978, before he became a career firefighter with the CFA in 1983.

Mr Warrington assisted with major incidents including the Arthurs Seat chairlift collapse in 2003, the major 2003, 2006 and 2007 Victorian bushfires and Black Saturday in 2009.

He lead the CFA during major bushfires over the last two summers, and had received the Australian Fire Services Medal in June 2017.

Outgoing CFA fire chief Steve Warrington inspects the remains of a Buchan home destroyed in this summer’s bushfires. Picture: News Corp

Ms Neville said Mr Warrington had served the Victorian community “exceptionally well”.

“I will miss Steve greatly – I have learnt much from him about bushfires and the CFA and hold him in high regard,” she said.

“While I’m incredibly sad to see Steve leave the CFA, I respect his decision to take time for himself and his family.

“Steve should be immensely proud of his contribution to Victoria and the CFA.

“On behalf of the Victorian government, I thank Steve for his leadership and resilience, particularly during the devastating summer bushfires earlier this year, and wish him well for the future.”

CFA chair Greg Smith praised Mr Warrington for serving the organisation and Victoria with “passion, skill and warmth”.

“On behalf of the board, we thank Steve for his decorated service to the people of Victoria and wish him all the best for the future,” Mr Smith said.

“We will be announcing an interim CEO shortly.”