The acting chief officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade has resigned less than a month after its CEO quit, as Victoria's fire services prepares for a massive overhaul.
In a statement, the MFB said Paul Stacchino had quit after 12 months in the caretaker role.
His resignation comes as the Victorian Government attempts to shake up the way fire agencies operate.
An Upper House committee is currently examining legislation that would turn the Country Fire Authority into a volunteer-only organisation and create a new state-wide agency for paid firefighters called Fire Rescue Victoria.
Currently, the MFB is made up of professionals and services much of metropolitan Melbourne, but the CFA contains a mix of volunteers and career firefighters.
The Government failed to convince enough crossbench MPs to support the bill last month.
A bitter pay dispute between the CFA and the United Firefighters Union has not yet been resolved after four years of hostile negotiations.
Last month Jim Higgins resigned as CEO of the MFB but gave no reason for why he was leaving.
Another resignation for Victoria's fire services
Mr Stacchino's departure is yet another in a chaotic year for fire services in Victoria.
Last year the CFA board was sacked and chief executive Lucinda Nolan and chief fire officer Joe Buffone quit over opposition to a workplace agreement for paid firefighters.
Minister Jane Garrett also quit over the stand-off. In October, the MFB's deputy chief officer David Youssef resigned.
"Victoria has lost over 300 years of emergency services experience during Daniel Andrews' war with the CFA," Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said following the latest resignation.
Union secretary Peter Marshall had earlier warned the parliamentary inquiry that fire services would continue to be plagued by bitter disputes unless the major overhaul passed Parliament.
The MFB's acting CEO Russell Eddington said Mr Stacchino had guided the organisation through a difficult period.
"He has helped steer the organisation through some challenging times, and in a fast-paced and complex environment has ensured that our operational service delivery and leadership within emergency services is exceptional," he said.
