17 SCC Employees Among State’s First CERT Graduating Class

Trenton, NJ (July 23, 2004) – Seventeen employees of New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation are among the first graduating class of State workers who completed Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The volunteer program helps prepare the employees to protect themselves, their families, co-workers and communities in emergencies.

Overall, 600 State employees were recognized at a graduation ceremony Friday, July 23rd by the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management. The graduates received certificates, official green CERT helmets, vests and emergency response kits.

SCC, initiated by Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2002, is responsible for implementing New Jersey’s unprecedented $8.6 billion public school construction program.

SCC CERT graduates include:

Mark Conte, Steven Horne, Joseph Jenkins, Yan Lee, Rhonda McElrath, Carlton Payne, Tylitha Ruffin, Warren Sherard, William Upton, and Robert Van Clef, all Design & Construction.

Carol Murphy, Gail Ridgeway and George Strachan, Division of Communications.

Marcia Longmore and Bonnie Sprouls, Human Resources.

Carmen Alvarez, Policy & Planning.

Sean Murphy, Procurement.

The office of Governor McGreevey, in conjunction with the NJ Department of Personnel, spearheaded the call for volunteers and allowed State employees to undergo CERT training during the workday. The 20-hour training was conducted over an eight-week period. It provided a hands-on approach to such critical areas as elementary first aid and basic fire suppression. It does not to supplant fire or police personnel, but provides a solid resource in an emergency.

More information about CERT is available at the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism (609-984-3470) or NJ State Police Office of Emergency Management (609-538-6060, or 877-CERT-411).