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WALL, N.J. – New Jersey Resources (NJR), the parent company of New Jersey Natural Gas, today became the first business in Monmouth County to graduate employees from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Thirteen employees have completed 24 hours of training since June, and are now trained in disaster preparedness and basic disaster response skills.

“I am proud to recognize the accomplishments of these employees, who volunteered their time and skills to better prepare our company for emergency situations,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Resources. “Thanks to their efforts and enthusiasm for the CERT program, they are enhancing the safety of other employees and the communities we serve.”

The CERT program was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 to help community members more effectively deal with the effects of earthquakes. The program has since spread throughout the country as national and local agencies recognize the importance of preparing citizens to be better informed about ways to respond and cope with the aftermath of a disaster.

NJR’s employees were trained in basic disaster response skills including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Through their instruction, they have a better sense of potential hazards in the workplace and community. CERT members are able to give critical support and aid to associates and neighbors in emergency situations until help arrives.

“The success of the CERT program at NJR shows that there is a place for volunteerism in both the workplace and the community,” said Harry Conover, coordinator of the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). “If these graduates are faced with an emergency in the future, I am confident in their ability to respond effectively to assist their co-workers and neighbors. I hope that more businesses and community members will take an interest in the program to make our community a safer place to work and live.”

Some of the modules for the CERT members were instructed by co-workers who have experience in areas related to disaster preparedness, including a former fire chief, certified CPR and first aid instructor and a certified emergency medical technician. In addition, Mike Oppegaard, deputy coordinator of the Wall Township OEM, educated the participants on terrorism.

In a ceremony today, Downes, Conover and other state and local emergency management officials recognized the employees for their involvement and willingness to volunteer. The new CERT members received bags that contain a hat, vest, flashlight and other basic tools they may need to provide aid in the event of a disaster. To maintain their skills, they will participate in refresher classes and an annual exercise.

New Jersey Resources (NYSE:NJR), a Fortune 1000 company and a member of the Forbes Platinum 400, provides reliable retail and wholesale energy services to customers in New Jersey and in states from the Gulf Coast to New England, and Canada. Its principal subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas, is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 460,000 customers in central and northern New Jersey. Other major NJR subsidiaries include NJR Energy Services and NJR Home Services. NJR Energy Services is a leader in the unregulated energy services market, providing customer service and management of natural gas storage and capacity assets. NJR Home Services offers retail customers heating, air conditioning and appliance services. NJR’s progress is a tribute to the more than 5,000 dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make NJR a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJR’s Web site at njliving.com.