Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Gavin Freeman is among a group of public officials to be bestowed a fellowship by the Institute of Public Administration Australia for excellence and creating "lasting public value".
But the state's firefighters union has condemned the decision, saying it was a contradiction to his record with the service in one of the "worst times" in its history.
"The fire service is in crisis and here is the government or the Institute of Public Administration giving Gavin Freeman an award for what? The fire service has never been as broken as it is now," United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall said on Thursday.
Fellowship recipients are nominated by their peers and the award is endorsed by a government-independent advisory committee and the IPAA Victoria board.
While the board is independent from government, it comprises of sitting department secretaries, chief executives and public service leaders, including health department secretary Jenny Atta as president.
The union boss said the government was splurging on consultants while many fire trucks were past their use-by date leading to potentially life-threatening breakdown ahead of another fire season, leaving crews and the public at risk.
Mr Marshall called on Premier Jacinta Allan to sack Mr Freeman following a vote of no confidence, which saw over 90 per cent of members vote against their leader.
The demand came after Victoria Police members passed a similar motion, which led to the resignation of former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.
Ambulance Victoria's chief executive Jane Miller also stepped down in 2024 following a no-confidence vote by staff.
A government spokesman said more than $100 million had been tipped into maintaining trucks and equipment in recent years, with an extra $40 million allocated in the 2025 budget for truck replacements.
"We have full confidence in the Fire Rescue Victoria commissioner and his leadership team," the spokesman said.
About 30 off-duty firefighters were outside Flinders Street Station on Thursday handing out flyers and informing the public about the "crisis" under the government and Mr Freeman's leadership.
They have pledged to target 34 marginal Labor electorates in the lead up to the November 2026 state election.
"Firefighters put their life on the line on a daily basis, and they've been let down by this government very badly," Mr Marshall said.
"How can there be an award for excellence? Excellence in what? Dismantling the fire service? Making sure the public are not protected? This is probably the largest slap in the face of firefighters we've seen."
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said Mr Freeman's award recognised his distinguished and exemplary service to the fire services sector and local, Victoria, national and international communities over his career.
"For more than four decades, Gavin Freeman has dedicated himself to the protection of life and property and the delivery of outcomes that strengthen Australian communities," she said.
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