A question mark hangs over the leadership of the new Fire Rescue Victoria agency and their ability to work with the incumbent state government and firefighters' union, the opposition says. On Friday, Metropolitan Fire Brigade chief officer Dan Stephens - who moved from the UK for the role - quit a year into his five-year contract. The state government had refused to back Mr Stephens to lead the new agency after it passed its controversial fire service reforms last month. "I'd find it difficult to find any person anywhere in the world who would want to come to Victoria to put up with (Premier) Daniel Andrews and to put up with (United Firefighters Union boss) Peter Marshall," opposition spokesman for emergency services Brad Battin said on Saturday. "The state of the fire services is nothing short of chaotic." Mr Battin said Mr Andrews had backed Mr Marshall instead of making community safety the first priority. "Dan Stephens was the right person to put community safety back in Victoria and Daniel Andrews failed to back him," Mr Battin said. MFB board president Jasmine Doak told staff on Friday Mr Stephens had resigned before thanking him for his leadership and service. "Dan brought stability and focus to the organisation during a crucial period and we are now well positioned to move forwards towards FRV," Ms Doak said. Mr Stephens reportedly took indefinite leave last month. Deputy chief officer Greg Leach has been appointed as interim chief officer and organisation boss until the MFB transfers to the new FRV organisation. Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville thanked Mr Stephens for his service. "He has shown great commitment to the Victorian community and leaves the MFB in a strong position during a time of change," she said on Friday. The state's fire services debate raged for years and stoked division between the volunteer and career sectors until the reforms passed last month. Australian Associated Press
