The Tactical Debrief with Dr. Massimino
The Tactical Debrief podcast
(Formerly The Staff Assistant Podcast) is designed to assist and educate public safety personnel about mental health issues and managing work-related stress. Dr. Massimino is a licensed clinical psychologist who works within a large law enforcement agency and treats first responders in her private practice.
Each episode is designed to mimic an intake session - giving you an inside look into what meeting with a therapist would look like - through the eyes of other first responders. The goal of The Tactical Debrief podcast is to normalize therapy for law enforcement and first responders, and to reduce the suicide rate for this population.
The Tactical Debrief with Dr. Massimino
Episode 35: SMPD CSO Ed Burns
Episode 35: SMPD CSO Ed Burns
In this episode, we interview Santa Monica Police Department Community Service Officer Ed Burns. Ed discusses the significant impact his parents had on his life, including experiencing lack of affection and physical abuse. Living with an absent and alcoholic father, and an abusive, anxious mother, he learned to suppress and restrict his emotions from a young age, which later had a large impact on his relationships.
Ed recalls his early years in Los Angeles County as an EMT, working on an ambulance during the 1992 LA Riots. He also discusses his twenty five years of service with Santa Monica PD as a community service officer. Ed is a trained accident reconstructionist and fatal accident investigator, and has witnessed most of the major critical incidents that have occurred in Southern California over the past several decades.
Ed is a member of the SMPD peer support team, and discusses his own history of going to therapy. Ed is also a professional photographer and enjoys taking portraits for first responders. Check him out on Instagram at @edburnsphotography and @valiantimageportraits.