Mr Rees, who curiously was interstate on holiday when the report was released, yesterday apologised for his lack of action on the day.

"To those affected by those tragic events, I am truly sorry," he said, reading from a statement.

Mr Rees was among those most heavily criticised by the commission for the way he handled his responsibilities during the bushfire crisis.

He had, according to the commission, adopted a "disturbing" leadership style during the emergency and tried to deflect his responsibilities to others.

Despite the continuing Royal Commission into the disaster, the Brumby Government re-appointed Mr Rees to his position in August 2009.

This was an interesting - and perhaps misguided - move by the State Government, given the failings, which were obvious even then, of his leadership on the day.

As it was, Mr Rees took it upon himself to resign in April this year, ahead of what he surely knew would be a damning report from the Royal Commission.

In doing so, he was able to put some distance - albeit a small distance - between himself and the CFA.

His silence since then - and his absence when the report was handed down - was criticised by those affected by his inaction on Black Saturday, the same people to whom he apologised yesterday.

His early resignation was not going to absolve him in their eyes.

Delayed though it was, yesterday's apology and acknowledgement of his failings in their time of need will help in the healing process.

Mr Rees said yesterday he believed the CFA is a different organisation today to what it was before February 7, 2009.

Given the findings of the Royal Commission, it is to be hoped that is the case.