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Darci Lussier, risk associate with the Safety
Department, teaches staff members of the
Creative Services Department how to use safety
equipment.
Behind the Scenes: fall-protection equipment, respirators to protect employees from
STAFF Meet a Brookfield Zoo respiratory hazards, protective eyewear, gloves, and hearing-
protection devices.
Staff Member
If a rare accident occurs, Darci coordinates all of the insurance
Each issue, we introduce you to one paperwork and filings for employees and facilities. She has a deep
of Brookfield Zoo’s amazing staff members! Meet Darci knowledge of all types of insurance—including property, auto,
Lussier who works in CZS’s Safety Department. workers’ compensation, general liability, and Cyber.
Job title: Risk Associate Background: Darci grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, which she calls
Favorite animal: Today, it’s a domestic house cat— “The Greatest Place on Earth!” She once worked as a room attendant
tomorrow, it could be the capybara (hotel maid) in Yellowstone National Park. This, she says, was the
Favorite enrichment foods: Any deep-fried potato; best summer of her life because after working all week, she hiked
fried dough in any form; and cheap, domestic light beer and camped all weekend. In 1994, Darci moved to Chicago to work
Length of time at Brookfield Zoo: 9 years as a case manager with children in foster care and their parents. She
Typical day: As a member of the Safety Team, Darci reunified families when possible, and found safe, permanent homes
works tirelessly to prevent accidents and injuries to guests for children when reunification was not possible. Darci has two
and employees. She begins her day at the CZS Police children, both of whom are in college.
Department’s roll call where she learns about special
events, job assignments, police special assignments, Fun facts: Darci loves going to Chicago Fire and Sox games with
and other major happenings in the zoo that day. Darci her husband, but her heart belongs to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Her pets
informs the Police Department of her own department’s include Winnie Cooper, the dachshund; Niles, the kitty; and Professor
activities that day—such as inspections and testing of fire- Kevin, the hedgehog.
detection-and-suppression systems and other equipment.
Once the zoo opens, Darci’s day takes off. She regularly
strolls through the park looking for potential safety issues.
She helps ensure all CZS employees have the OSHA-
required equipment they need to safely perform their
jobs. Darci orders and distributes products including
BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2020 9
