South Australia's Country Fire Service boss Greg Nettleton is to leave the organisation after the state government decided not to renew his contract.
Mr Nettleton has served as CFS chief officer for more than eight years and says he's "not too fussed" about the government's move.
"I think I've done a good job. I've enjoyed it," he told reporters on Thursday.
"(But) I think I've done enough summers."
Mr Nettleton said his contract had been due to expire in January but was extended until July to cover the current fire season.
He said he was informed of the decision not to renew his contract on Monday this week.
Questioned in state parliament, Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard said it was his decision not to continue with Mr Nettleton as part of the government's move to take the CFS in a new direction.
"One would surmise that if the contract of the previous chief officer hasn't been renewed and we are going to get a new chief officer, there will be a new direction," he told the house.
Mr Nettleton said he was comfortable in the current direction of the CFS and conceded his departure would come as a surprise to some people in the organisation.
"Personally, I'm not too fussed about it," he said.
"You only roll the dice so many summers before you get caught up in a royal commission or some high-level inquiry.
"To get through eight without going through that sort of experience, I'm feeling fairly lucky."
But the Labor opposition described the government's handling of Mr Nettleton's departure as a "complete and utter shambles".
Opposition emergency services spokesman Lee Odenwalder said Mr Wingard was "out of his depth and appears to be making it up as he goes along".
"South Australians expect much better when it comes to such an important organisation as the CFS," he said.
