TEANECK, N.J. — Employees from Dougie’s, Zula Grill, the Hilton and Marriott spent Sunday learning how to respond when someone’s heart stops.

Bergen Hatzalah provided hands-on CPR training at Dougie’s in Teaneck in a program sponsored by Foundation@ Cross River, the philanthropic arm of Fort Lee-based Cross River. Bergen Hatzalah shared photos from the training Sunday afternoon on Facebook.

Employees practiced CPR and other first responder skills they can use to provide immediate assistance while EMTs and paramedics are responding.

That can be critical during cardiac arrest, when starting CPR immediately can help keep blood flowing until professional responders arrive.

The training put those skills directly into the hands of employees at four local businesses, where they could be the first people on the scene if a customer or co-worker suddenly suffers a medical emergency.

Sunday’s program was a community partnership between Bergen Hatzalah and Foundation@ Cross River, with employees from all four businesses taking part in the training.