The CFA has launched an investigation to determine whether a Liberal Party robocall campaign that claims the Victorian government's fire service reforms put lives at risk breaches privacy laws.
The Victorian Liberal Party is campaigning hard in 11 electorates against the splitting of the CFA into a volunteer-only organisation.
It's using an automated call featuring a purported CFA volunteer asking members of the public to sign an online petition on a Liberal-authorised website.
Emergency Services Minister James Merlino told AAP on Thursday the opposition needed to explain how they obtained private contact details of CFA members.
"This is a desperate move by a desperate Liberal opposition, who will say anything to denigrate firefighters," Mr Merlino said.
CFA chief executive Frances Diver says the authority has been "flooded" with complaints.
"The calls are irresponsible, unfounded and not authorised by the CFA," Ms Diver said in a statement on Thursday.
"These calls warn that reforms recently announced by the state government will put Victorian families at risk.
"CFA is deeply concerned that these calls may erode confidence in public safety and unfairly cause alarm across the community."
The CFA is investigating whether those who received the calls had their privacy breached.
But the Liberal Party is standing firm on the campaign and plan to "ramp up its efforts".
"Frances Diver is in the pocket of the Andrews Labor government and her comments may as well be authored by the premier," opposition emergency services spokesman Brad Battin said in a statement.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria also said it had nothing to do with the phone campaign.
The calls come as the government wants to split the CFA and make it volunteer-only, with career firefighters to join the MFB and become Fire Rescue Victoria.
It introduced legislation into parliament on Wednesday to create the new fire service and presumptive cancer compensation rights for firefighters.
The Legislative Assembly voted on Thursday to adjourn debate on it until the next sitting week.
The bill is expected to pass the lower house but the opposition and crossbenchers in the Legislative Council could vote the bill down, amend it or send it to a committee.
The powerful United Firefighters Union launched a campaign supporting the reforms, including broadcast advertisements and a website, on Wednesday.
Union secretary Peter Marshall said on Thursday the campaign would not include robocalls.
WorkSafe Victoria has also confirmed it is investigating a bullying complaint from former MFB chief officer Peter Rau who resigned in September.
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