Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver

September 28, 2018 - Richard J. Mikutsky Named as State Fire Marshal and Director of the Division of Fire Safety

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 28, 2018

   

Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced Richard J. Mikutsky as the State Fire Marshal and Director of the Division of Fire Safety. The appointment required the advice and consent of the State Senate, which was provided on September 27, 2018.

“Richard’s extensive background as both a career and volunteer firefighter and his comprehensive education and training experience make him the ideal candidate to move the Division of Fire Safety forward,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, DCA Commissioner. “I am confident he will skillfully continue the Division’s mission to improve safety for the state’s fire service community and the general public.”

In his role, Mikutsky will oversee the Division of Fire Safety, which is the state’s central fire service agency responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as for implementing public education and firefighter training programs. As State Fire Marshal, Mikutsky will be the lead state official in charge of ensuring people comply with fire codes, investigating fire-related accidents and crimes, and directing fire prevention efforts.

“I look forward to working with Lt. Governor Oliver and the Murphy Administration to protect people’s life and property while enhancing firefighter safety,” Mikutsky said.

Mikutsky brings over 32 years of experience as a professional firefighter to state government. Prior to joining the Division of Fire Safety, Mikutsky served as a career fire captain for the Morristown Fire Bureau in Morristown, NJ, where he worked for more than 30 years until his retirement in February 2018. He also was the executive vice president of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, which is the statewide union representing approximately 5,000 career firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers. Previously, he served as vice chairman of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System Board of Trustees. He continues to serve as a volunteer firefighter for the Liberty Corner Fire Company in Bernards Township, NJ.

Since graduating from Morristown High School in 1980, Mikutsky has received training and more than 70 certifications in all aspects of fire service. He lives in Basking Ridge with his wife Nancy and daughters Laura and Megan.

For more information on the Division of Fire Safety, visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/.

For more information about DCA, visit: www.nj.gov/dca/