In a statement, the UFU said Mr Arnol has failed to protect and be proactive with the welfare of career and volunteer firefighters who make workers compensation claims due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. 

"Mr Arnol has been well-aware of the struggles and hostility injured TFS career firefighters face in their workers compensation claims, with the UFU first raising the issue with him directly in early 2016," the statement said. 

"Despite this, Mr Arnol recently renewed the employer's workers compensation insurance contract for a further 12 months. 

"Mr Arnol has not shown effective leadership required on this and other matters.

"TFS career firefighters will this week commence protected action." 

Mr Arnol said he will not be resigning from his position. 

"Tasmania Fire Service proposed the changes to a different insurance provider last year and fully supports the move to a different provider," Mr Arnol said. 

"This is why it is part of the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement negotiations between the state government and the United Firefighters Union.

"Changing insurance providers is a complex process, particularly with outstanding claims.

"It would be negligent to allow insurance to lapse and so the agreement with Allianz was re-signed for 12 months while the change is negotiated." 

Labor Police, Fire and Emergency Services spokesman Shane Broad said the government should urgently respond to the concerns of the UFU. 

"The UFU has repeatedly expressed the need for the State Fire Commission to source an alternative insurer which would better support firefighters who become injured in the workplace," Mr Broad said. 

"The situation with the insurer is so broken that supporters of injured firefighter Rob Boost were forced to use crowdfunding to pay for pain relief.

"Despite this, the government has just re-contracted the same insurer and workers have serious concerns over their safety. 

"We now have a position where the UFU has expressed no confidence in the chief officer of the Tasmania Fire Service and members have commenced industrial action." 

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said Mr Arnol was a very good leader. 

"Chris Arnol did a fantastic job through the recent fires," Mr Gutwein said. 

"He has my confidence."