Contact Us
For general inquiries, please contact communications@emplans.ca | 778-795-0724
The Emergency Planning Secretariat is a growing team of talented individuals with skills tailored to different needs. Please see below for contact information for each of our staff:
GILLIAN FUSS, MANAGER
Gillian Fuss is a recovering biologist, who was drawn away from science towards science communication, watershed/landscape management, cross-cultural work, and decision-making, leading her to the United Nations, Let’s Talk Science, and ultimately her role at UBC. She has a masters from UBC in forestry. At the EPS, she was the first EPS employee, and now manages the EPS program, ensuring progress towards Hilekw Sq’eq’o goals, and advocating for UNDRIP at all levels of climate resilience and planning. She was born in Saanich, but has lived in Abu Dhabi, Montreal, Sault Ste. Marie, and more. In her spare time, Gillian finds her peace hanging out with her dog, in the garden, or walking up mountains.
gillian.fuss@emplans.ca | 778-951-3776
EMILY CHABOT, COMMUNICATIONS & EVENT COORDINATOR
Emily Chabot began working with EPS in July 2023 as a program assistant. As the now Communications & Event Coordinator, Emily supports the EPS Team in a variety of ways, ranging from administrative support, educational outreach for planning and preparedness, community engagement and event planning. Before joining EPS, Emily completed her education in Environmental Science with a focus on environmental protection and worked in the solid waste management sector as a recycling educator. She is also a published YA author. In her free time, you can find Emily studying the bugs in her garden, running through the forest with her dogs, curled up in a blanket with a book, or at her laptop writing her own fictional stories.
emily.chabot@emplans.ca | 778-255-2853
AMBER RODOCKER, OPERATIONS DEPT. HEAD
Amber Rodocker joined EPS in the summer of 2023. Amber has an extensive background in healthcare management which makes her a great fit to join us and help with our Human Resources and financial management as our team grows. She has a passion for helping people and enjoys building a collaborative, effective team environment. Her attention to detail, along with years of experience creating policy and procedures, makes her excited to take on this new role. Amber is also an avid Dragon Boater and when she is not paddling you can find her with her kids or in the garden.
amber.rodocker@emplans.ca | 778-795-0724
TAKODA CASTONGUAY, RESPONSE & RECOVERY COORDINATOR
Takoda Castonguay is a member of the Sapotaweyak Cree nation and was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. He has worked in a variety of industries, including hospitality and carpentry, before coming to the Emergency Planning Secretariat. Takoda gained a passion for work focusing on First Nations from his mother, who spent 20 years in the Correctional Service of Canada, with the latter years of her career focusing on the rehabilitation of First Nation inmates. After retiring, she then shifted her focus to writing Gladue reports for the province of BC. Takoda aims to bring his experience and drive to the 31 Coast Salish communities and be a resource for anything that can help these communities.
takoda.castonguay@emplans.ca | 778-795-0724
LANDON REEVES, PLANNING COORDINATOR
Landon Reeves has as background in engineering and a Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from UBC. He uses his training in community focused planning work and technical background to help place people at the forefront of decision-making
processes. Outside of work, Landon is an enthusiastic book club member and can often be found reading something zany during his lunch breaks. He also enjoys playing board games with his friends on weekends and has been known to dabble in the occasional Dungeons and Dragons campaign.
landon.reeves@emplans.ca | 778-795-0724
SYD BURSTEIN, REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Syd Burstein is a passionate community advocate and a lover of lifting rocks and looking through binoculars. Her recent master’s thesis from UBC focused on integrating radical, community-based principles into the Lower Mainland’s Hazard, Resilience and Vulnerability Analyses. Her work aims to create sustainable solutions that prioritize both community needs and environmental solutions, recognizing and honouring the reciprocal relationships that exist at the heart of the work. Outside of work you can find her drawing birds, knitting gloves with birds on them, reading about birds, biking to birding spots, and overall needing to expand her circle of interests.
syd.burstein@emplans.ca | 778-795-0724
DARCY TURIN, REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Darcy Turin has a background in international relations and a Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management from UBC. She coordinates regional emergency preparedness and climate adaptation, applying her background in geospatial information to
support informed and resilient communities. Her master’s research focused on using historic Cold War satellite imagery to quantify long-term forest cover change. Off the clock, Darcy is likely knitting, baking, or adventuring with her dog. She lives and works on the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ peoples.
darcy.turin@emplans.ca | 778-795-0724
For general inquiries, please fill out our form below.