Reviews

Praise for Ambulance Man

“An ambulance has always seemed to me to be a rolling mystery box, a sort of metaphor for life itself. In this vivid, gripping book, Casey provides a glimpse inside, showing the dignity of the work, the humanity of those who do it, and the preciousness of life itself. Highly recommended.”
— Crawford Coates, author of Mindful Responder

“Poignant, quirky and raw. Brian Casey gives readers a peek behind the curtain few are privileged to witness. Anyone who has served on an ambulance will recognize the complex and unvarnished humanity in his story. Those who have not, may feel like passers-by — staring between their splayed fingers at a gruesome car crash, but staring nonetheless.
— Brian LaCroix, EMS Chief (Ret.), past president National EMS Management Association

“Ambulance Man is a valuable and important addition to the emerging literature on the lived experience of EMTs and paramedics in America. With candor and warmth, Casey not only takes us to the small rooms and streets where an ambulance man meets and compassionately tends to people, he captures an era of ambulance work and EMS development that should not be forgotten.”
— John M. Becknell, PhD

“Lights, siren, action! Sometimes a well-told story is needed to provide clarity and insight about a particular occupation. Casey does just that in an honest and heartwarming way.”
— Shawn Yurick, correctional officer, Stillwater, MN

“Brian Casey’s Ambulance Man takes us deep inside the part of life that is filled with car crashes, drowned kids, and heart attacks. This first-person narrative begins when ambulances were fancy Cadillac station wagons and before 911 so people called your phone directly with their emergency. Brian invites the reader to see this world through his eyes. To feel what it is like to have abusive partners, kind partners, a child die in your arms, and people live who otherwise would have died. Casey lets you see up close and personal the toll the profession can take on those who dedicate their lives to helping others, and how to get through the tough stuff in style. I devoured it in one evening.”
— Mike Taigman, paramedic, assistant professor at University of California, San Francisco, author of Super-Charge Your Stress Management in the Age of COVID-19

“Have you ever watched an ambulance pass by with lights flashing and siren blaring? The whole time thinking: I wonder where they are going, what will they see when they get there, and what will they do to help the person in need? Well this book picks you up and takes you along for the ride!”
— Eric Hagle, police officer, Minneapolis, MN

“I couldn’t put it down. Ambulance Man is a compelling, sometimes humorous and frenetic series of confrontations with suffering and death — the aspects of life most of us try to avoid at all costs. It is about one man’s search for meaning in the depths of human tragedy; a discovery of the sacred within the profane.
— Kyle Keller, Psychotherapist

Praise for Good Cop, Good Cop

A Compassionate, Insightful Resource for First Responders, their families & all who work with them
I am a Psychologist in Private Practice in San Francisco, CA who works with First Responders in Police and Fire Departments, and specifically with those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress.

This book has been a wonderful resource for me and my clients, who report finding it very insightful and facilitating to opening their awareness of how to name and describe their difficulties with more understanding. It is a very dynamic and readable book that offers realistic compassionate insights about the Culture of Law Enforcement and gives clarity about barriers that prevent Officers from getting and receiving help.

Sergeant Casey writes about difficult issues that can occur with wisdom and transparency. He gives many examples for all to identify with and learn from, as well as to explain what guides Officers thinking and behavior both at work and in their personal lives. He explains the Life Changes Officers can experience and how to find it acceptable to get support and develop strong emotional resilience.

I highly recommend this book to all who work in the field of Law Enforcement, and to all the Clinicians who are fortunate to work with them. I currently encourage all my Clients and their Families to read this book to gain self understanding and live a more healthy and rewarding life.

— Linda B, Psychologist

Incredibly helpful perspective on law enforcement and wellness
I am a mental health professional and therapist, and this book has been a tremendous resource for me in navigating the therapeutic process while working with law enforcement personnel.

Good Cop, Good Cop is aimed at helping police officers to develop a well-rounded, stigma-free perspective on health and wellness, and also serves as a invaluable tool for anyone seeking to better understand the pressures faced by police officers, as well as their unique adaptations to the various environmental stressors inherent to their job. This book has been very helpful in allowing me to join officers more effectively as a clinician, by getting a much deeper sense of their day-to-day experiences and appreciation for their inner sources of resiliency.

I think this book would be excellent for various audiences — for police officers, it offers great strategies for attaining balance and maintaining well-being; for mental health professional, it gives a framework for supporting officers in a non-pathologizing and strengths-based perspective; and for the general public, it's an education around the misconceptions and misunderstandings that we often have towards police officers and how they serve our communities.

I highly recommend this book!

— K.M. Keller, Psychotherapist

Great resource for law enforcement officers, family, and therapist who work with them.
Sergeant Casey’s experience as a department EAP provider, former paramedic, and background in health education shine through in Good Cop, Good Cop. He outlines the risks law enforcement officers face as a result of the job and highlights the many protective factors for officers to not just “survive,” but to thrive in a career in law enforcement.

As a current LEO and licensed therapist working with LEOs, I highly recommend Good Cop, Good Cop. It is valuable for all LEOs and their families to help understand how the job effects officers and what resources are available. This book is also a great resource for department supervisors and managers in development of agency resources, EAP, and peer support. Finally, for therapists seeking to work with LEOs, Good Cop, Good Cop provides insight into the complex world, culture, and systems of law enforcement.

— Scott Marks, current LEO and licensed therapist working with LEOs

A Must Read For First Responders!!!
This book is extremely informational and pertinent to every officer as well as any first responders facing the challenges of these careers. I took something out of every section of this book that I will carry with me throughout my career. I am thankful this book was written and highly recommend it!

— Jennifer Hale

A must-have resource for law enforcement personnel and their families
I so appreciate this author's writing voice, speaking with experience from decades of work in public safety. He has a relatable style and pragmatic approach to staying healthy in a challenging profession. As an EAP professional, I highly recommend this book for new recruits, officers, leadership, dispatchers, police chaplains, wardens, correctional officers and family members…it’s excellent. Published in 2018, it is current and well-researched. Brian Casey is also a presenter if you are looking for one to deliver this information in person. Love someone in law enforcement? Get them a copy of this book.

— Susan Kay, Employee Assistance Program professional