Mr Warrington said he had been visiting a lot of CFA brigades.

“I think the biggest issue is the structural reforms, I think we need to do a bit of work with our people to make sure they are confident and happy to do the work.”

Mr Warrington denied claims that changing the CFA would affect the ‘surge capacity’ where extra units are deployed during a bushfire.

“Everywhere I have gone, and I have gone around the whole state, our people have made it really clear that they will be there if a fire occur,” he said.

“While there is some uneasiness associated with the structural reform, our people are here to support our communities and we will continue to do that.

“I have the utmost confidence in the CFA, our organisation and our people.”

The state government wants to split up paid and volunteer firefighters and create a new paid firefighting service.

The government have maintained that the changes were needed to modernise firefighting and improve its responses to emergencies.

The opposition have claimed that the changes were designed to push through a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with the United Firefighters Union after the previous attempt was blocked by federal legislation.

Stawell CFA member and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria board member Mick Nunweek attended the meeting and said firefighters were still in the dark about the changes.

“Victoria is the most bushfire-prone state in Australia and the government seems to be winging it,” he said.

“There was no detail, no real explanation on how it will work and how much it will cost. This is far too important to get wrong.

“The Minister and the chief officer have a legal requirement to consult with volunteers and they haven’t done so.”

Mr Merlino said he wanted to have direct discussion with volunteers

“I think we are up to 70-odd forums so far about the changes to fire services, to answer any questions that volunteers may have,” he said.

The legislation to enable the changes has gone back to a committee after facing opposition in the upper house.

Mr Merlino said he was confident it would pass.