Petrillo, 46, will bring over 25 years of experience in the fire prevention and fire safety fields to his new position in the Department of Community Affairs.
“The goal of the Division of Fire Safety is to serve as the central point of access of New Jersey’s fire service community and the general public on all matters relating to fire safety,” said McGreevey. “Larry Petrillo, through his 25 years of experience as a firefighter, inspector and fire safety consultant, will undoubtedly continue to drive the mission of the Division through enforcement of the State’s fire code, public education programs and firefighting training programs.”
“As a firefighter, the horror and catastrophic effects of fire are learned early on and are never forgotten,” said Petrillo. “I am anxious to begin this next phase of my fire service career, clearly focused on reducing New Jersey’s fire experience and positively impacting the safety and well being of our citizens and firefighters.”
Currently, Petrillo is CEO of Laur/Chris Training Concepts & Productions, Inc., which provides occupational safety, health and fire consultation services to private corporations and municipal fire departments, including the New York City Fire Department, United States Postal Service and the United States Coast Guard. Petrillo founded the company in 1994.
From 1985-1994, Petrillo served as Director of the Occupational Safety, Health and Fire Division of the New Jersey State Safety Council. During this time, he also served as the Director of the New Jersey State Fire College where he developed firefighting training and educational programs for municipal and industrial fire departments, as well as train more than 4,200 students annually.
Petrillo began his career at the Carteret Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1976. He became a career firefighter with the Department in 1981.
In addition to his work experience, Petrillo is affiliated with a number of professional organizations including the New Jersey State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association, where he has served on the Board of Trustees since 1999. He is also an Executive Board Member for the Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Columbia Association of the New York City Fire Department.
Petrillo has also served as President of the New Jersey State Fire College since 1998.
Petrillo attended Thomas A. Edison State University and Middlesex County College, as well as the Teterboro School of Aeronautics. Petrillo is married and has two children and currently resides in Carteret.
The Division of Fire Safety includes the Bureau of Fire Code Enforcement, which is responsible for enforcing the State’s fire code, and the Bureau of Fire Department services, which helps recruit and guide volunteer firefighters. It is responsible for maintaining, updating and enforcing the State’s fire code, monitoring legislative activity that directly impacts the Fire Service, recruiting and guiding potential volunteer firefighters and providing local fire companies assistance in training, public education and data collection.
