Country Fire Authority Chief Officer Jason Heffernan has visited CFA's west region, where he has met with staff at the district headquarters in Horsham, Warracknabeal and Dimboola.
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The meeting was part of a regional tour of the state, which started in December 2020.
Chief Officer Heffernan also met with captains, group officers, and other volunteer members from brigades in Ararat, Stawell, St Arnaud, Beaufort, Wilaura, Daylesford, Blackwood and Ballarat.
Horsham CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Eddie Lacko said he discussed the issues affecting Wimmera with the new Chief during the visit.
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"We've gone through some recent changes and he has a deep level of commitment to the service delivery model that is being provided currently," Mr Lacko said.
"Things that need to be changed he will look at, thing that don't need to be changed will be enhanced."
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lacko said one of the issues he addressed was rural decline and the retention of volunteers.
"Every area has organisational challenges, and a big one for us is rural decline, in relation to declining and aging populations," Mr Lacko said.
"That's not indicative of Wimmera, it's a nation-wide issue, right across the country.
"The chief officer is very, very in tune with those issues because he originally came from Wagga, so he understands that the issues within the Wimmera are very similar to where he came from."
Chief Officer Heffernan said it was great to meet with volunteers and hear their thoughts on the organisation's challenges.
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"Meeting with our district staff, it was great to recognise service and hear how they are striving to serve members across western Victoria," he said.
"At St Arnaud CFA, our volunteer members raised with me the importance of diversity, and the role it plays in the longevity and capability of the CFA, which I happen to strongly agree with."
Chief Officer Heffernan was appointed to the role on November 30 2020 after 15 years at the Rural Fire Service in New South Wales.
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