Vic fire service reforms to be examined

Victoria's controversial fire service reforms will be scrutinised by a parliamentary inquiry.

Starting from Friday, an Upper House committee will examine the bill to split the CFA into a volunteer-only fire service. It will provide a report by the time parliament resumes.

Under the government's plan, the CFA would become volunteer-only, and career firefighters would merge with the MFB to create Fire Services Victoria.

Attempts by the Andrews government to push the changes through parliament before the winter break failed.

The government says the split is necessary to end the deadlock on a CFA pay deal.

The changes are also tied to widely-supported presumptive rights cancer compensation.

Representatives from the Department of Premier and Cabinet are the first to give evidence on Friday morning, followed by two volunteer firefighters groups.