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In this powerful episode of After the Tones Drop, we sit down with Captain Ed Monroe, a 16-year veteran of the LA County Fire Department, whose life and leadership were forever changed by a tragic critical incident within his department in 2021. Ed opens up about the unimaginable day when a colleague took the life of one of their brothers, shot another and permanently wounded him, then took his life—and the lasting ripple effects on the entire agency.

From navigating grief and leadership under extreme pressure to the long-term impact of trauma on the fire service, Ed shares his journey of vulnerability, resilience, and the hard lessons learned. He candidly discusses his shift from skepticism about mental health support to becoming an advocate for therapy and peer support.

Tune in to hear how Ed's personal story is a testament to the importance of mental health in first responder communities, the cultural shifts happening in peer support, and the relentless pursuit of breaking down stigmas.

What You'll Learn:

• The challenges of leading through personal and organizational grief
• How critical incidents can redefine your understanding of mental health
• The importance of seeking help and the transformative power of therapy
• Cultural shifts in the fire service regarding peer support and mental health
• The personal and professional aftermath of traumatic events

DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information.

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat):

• https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR
• https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM
• https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE
• https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS
• https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74
• https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus
  License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR
• https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough
  License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE