A hero of the Black Summer bushfire crisis and former NSW Australian of the Year says he learned of his imminent sacking from news reports, calling the situation "disappointing".
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in August announced disaster preparation agency Resilience NSW would be reconfigured and its commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, would be shown the door.
The announcement, made as the government responded to an independent inquiry into devastating flooding earlier this year, followed weeks of media reports speculating about Mr Fitzsimmons' role.
Mr Fitzsimmons on Friday said he first learned of the inquiry's recommendation to remove him and dismantle the agency in the news.
"It's really disappointing," he told budget estimates on Friday.
He claimed multiple headlines about the agency being scrapped were inaccurate and the reports were "deflating" and "concerning" for staff.
Under the new reform, Resilience NSW will be folded into Recovery NSW.
Mr Fitzsimmons rose to prominence during the Black Summer bushfire crisis as the commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
After retiring from the RFS, he was named the 2021 NSW Australian of the Year and appointed commissioner of Resilience NSW.
Mr Fitzsimmons wasn't offered a new role in Recovery NSW and doesn't know what the future holds for him, once the Resilience NSW transition is completed.
Before the government received the floods report, Mr Perrottet spoke with Mr Fitzsimmons and signalled changes could be made to the agency.
But once the report was completed, Mr Fitzsimmons said he was not given a copy, or updated on the government's position, in the lead up to the premier's public announcement.
He hasn't spoken with the premier since.
Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said she spoke with Mr Fitzsimmons about the inquiry's recommendations the day before the inquiry's findings were announced by the premier.
Earlier conversations may have occurred but could not recall when, she said.
Ms Cooke stood by the recommendation to replace Resilience NSW with Recovery NSW, saying the change would streamline disaster response and recovery.
She praised Mr Fitzsimmons' loyalty and dedication, and his leadership through Black Summer.
"It has been an absolute honour and privilege to serve alongside Commissioner Fitzsimmons," Ms Cooke said.
"He is a hero. There is no question of that.
"He has been a loyal, dedicated, amazing public servant for a good portion of his life."
