Crisman Named as the 2012 Life Safety Educator of the Year

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930 

The Community Outreach Coordinator of the Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department was recognized as the "2012 Life Safety Educator of the Year" today.  Teresa Ann Crisman was presented with her award by State of Maryland Fire Marshal William Barnard at the Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference held at the John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Howard County.  Crisman, a resident of Greenbelt, was surprised with the award and even more surprised when she learned her mother, father and brother were in attendance.

Crisman is an 11-year employee of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department where she serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator. She is a longtime volunteer member of the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad as well as the Branchville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. She has dedicated her career to the education of our citizens, businesses and visitors in areas of fire safety and injury prevention.
Ms Teresa Ann Crisman is well known for her dedication and devotion to the Prince George’s County’s Safe Kids Coalition and the Risk Watch Injury Prevention Program. She has provided the leadership and resources to assist EMS providers in educating parents, children, and teachers in protecting children from the highest risk areas of injury. As the Community Outreach Coordinator she has daily contact with citizens and residents about fire safety and injury prevention programs. She coordinates fire prevention activities, open houses, school safety programs, career days and community events for the Fire/EMS Department and volunteer stations.

Teresa Ann Crisman recently received the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services “EMS for Children Award” for her dedication and devotion to the Prince George’s County’s Safe Kids Coalition and the Risk Watch Injury Prevention Program for over a decade. She has provided the leadership and resources to assist EMS providers in educating parents, children, and teachers in protecting children from the highest risk areas of injury. She has championed After School Programs, Child Passenger Safety Training, and Car Seat Checks in the county. She is a long standing member of the Fire and Injury Prevention Committee and serves as the chair of their Risk Watch Injury Preven¬tion Curriculum Task Force. State Fire Marshall Barnard spoke highly of Teresa's accomplishments and highlighted, "Teresa Ann has recently been a strong voice in Maryland for the ban on the sale of novelty lighters and residential sprinkler requirements. She has pulled together multiple partners at the State and local levels to educate everyone on the serious dangers that these lighters bring to young children and the life-saving importance of requiring residential sprinkler systems."

Crisman is a certified Fire Inspector and performs state and county required inspections on day care centers. While she is there not only does she perform the inspection she also uses the time to educate the care givers and children in injury and fire prevention and life safety.

Teresa recently completed her one-year term as President of the Ladies Auxiliary to Maryland State Fireman’s Association (MSFA). During her tenure she travelled thousands of miles and attended countless events representing the LAMSFA as well as the message that community outreach and public education are important components of all fire departments. Teresa Ann Crisman was inducted to the MSFA Hall of Fame in June 2012.

Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor was in attendance for the award presentation and stated, "I can not think of a more deserving person for this award.  Teresa Ann literally has devoted her life to educating others, especially young children, about the importance of keeping safety first.  I am extremely proud of her for receiving this prestigious award and distinction."  he concluded by saying, "This award speaks highly of Teresa Ann and the entire Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, Congratulations!!!"

A host of Fire/EMS personnel, career, civilian and volunteer, including Deputy Fire Chief's Scott Hoglander, Neal Dennis and Frank Underwood were on hand for the award presentation.