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Mary Jean Erschen

2010 National Achievement Award Winner

Mary Jean Erschen is the Executive Director of the Center for School, Youth and Citizen Preparedness and a pediatric nurse. She developed the concept of the Ready Camp for the state of Wisconsin, which has been providing preparedness education and training to at risk-youth in a summer camp atmosphere for six years.  She developed the curriculum herself and recruited and trained adult instructors to not only lead preparedness activities but also provide life skills and leadership training.

Mary has seen tremendous growth in these youth as they come back each year and as some have ventured into careers in emergency management.  Some of these young people also become camp counselors as they advance through the training program.  Mary has helped the state of Colorado in developing similar camps, and also plans and runs the Wisconsin School Safety Conferences.  She chairs the School Crisis Preparedness Committee and is involved in plans to pilot the STEP program in the state of Wisconsin. 

Full list of 2010 Achievement Award Winners