Richard Mikutsky was appointed Director / State Fire Marshall of the Division of Fire Safety by Governor Philip Murphy in April, 2018. The Division of Fire Safety 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.

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 32 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 N.J Police and Firemen’s Retirement System Board of Trustees.

Since first becoming a firefighter in 1980, Mikutsky has received training and more than 70 certifications in all aspects of the fire service. Rich continues to serve as a volunteer firefighter for the Liberty Corner Fire Company in Bernards Township, NJ where he lives with his wife Nancy and daughters Laura and Megan.