In this powerful episode of Ask the Tactical Trio, Becky shares the deeply personal story of responding to her first fatality, one that is quite recent and that happened completely unexpectedly when she wasn't working. Without hesitation, she shifted into first responder mode, performing CPR until emergency crews arrived. What followed, however, was a very different experience: processing the emotional and physiological impact without the preparation or structure that often exists when on duty.

But the real story begins after the call ends.

In the hours, days, and weeks that followed, she shares how she experienced the delayed emotional, cognitive, and physical effects that often come after a critical incident. Traci helps her explore what many first responders quietly navigate: nervous system activation that lingers long after the event, exhaustion, rumination, and the challenge of knowing what to do , but still struggling to do it.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Immediate and delayed responses to critical incidents
• Why the nervous system stays activated after a traumatic call
• The role of peer support and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
• How social connection supports recovery and resilience
• Practical strategies for processing difficult calls
• Why stress after trauma is a normal physiological response, not weakness

Whether you're a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, dispatcher, military member, healthcare provider, or athletic therapist, this conversation normalizes the post-incident experience and reinforces one key message: you don’t have to process it alone.

Coming Next: In Part 2, Anna joins the Tactical Trio to break down - simply and practically - what happens inside the nervous system after a critical incident and how to regulate, recover, and build resilience.

If you have a question you'd like the Tactical Trio to answer, send it our way at askthetacticaltrio@gmail.com - you might be featured in a future episode!

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