Emergency Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley has been asked to act as a watchdog in the escalating pay dispute between the Victorian government, the firefighters union, and the CFA.
The government will appoint Mr Lapsley as independent arbiter amid concerns from volunteer firefighters the government will force a controversial pay deal which gives the union unprecedented power.
CFA volunteers will rally on Sunday against the proposed deal, which was backed by the Fair Work Commission earlier this week in non-binding recommendations.
A government spokesman told AAP that Mr Lapsley's role is to ensure the implementation of the pay deal doesn't affect volunteer firefighters.
Mr Lapsley, a former Bendigo firefighter, is well regarded by both career and volunteer firefighters, and will act as "a good circuit-breaker", the spokesman said.
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The comments indicate the controversial pay deal is going ahead despite the CFA's opposition amid concerns the deal favours the union's demands and could affect the CFA's general operations and culture.
A cabinet sub-committee on Friday approved the deal and the government has already said it accepts Fair Work Commissioner Julius Roe's findings that nothing in the proposed enterprise bargaining agreement will affect CFA volunteers.
It's understood Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett is considering quitting cabinet because she strongly opposes the deal.
Hundreds of angry firefighters plan to gather at Treasury Gardens on Sunday from 1pm on behalf of 60,000 volunteers across the state.
"Sadly, CFA volunteers have been denied a voice in the consideration and determination of matters affecting them," Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria said in a statement.
It's expected the deal will got to cabinet on Monday before it will be officially signed.
