Board of Directors

Larry Briggs

President/Lead Chaplain

Founder Larry Briggs, retired Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), serves as Chaplain to the San Diego Harbor Police and is a Volunteer at the West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat in Napa, California. He holds several certifications with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) as well as with California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). He heads the Chaplaincy ministry at the Branch Church San Diego where he fellowships and partners with others in supporting our local First Responder community.

Larry’s many hours of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training and experience, and years of service with ATF, uniquely qualify him to serve those in the First Responder community. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling- Crisis Response & Trauma, from Liberty University.

Robert D. Taylor

Board Treasurer

Bob Taylor was born and raised in a law enforcement family in San Diego, where his father retired as a Captain with the San Diego Police Department. He has worked in banking for the past 34 years and is currently an Executive Director with Morgan Stanley. Bob has been involved with many community focused organizations, including Little League and Boy Scouts of America. He and his family fellowship at North Park Presbyterian.

Debi Arnold

Board Secretary

Debi Arnold is the newest member of the Board of Directors and currently serves as Chaplain with the Escondido Police Department, since 2017, and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, since 2019.  Her strong desire to become a Chaplain to First Responders came as she witnessed the devastating San Diego County wildfires of 2007 and the toll it took on police and firefighters alike. 

Because of Debi’s drive to be an emotional/spiritual help and encouragement to First Responders, she began taking numerous Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) courses from ICISF, building on her knowledge and understanding of crisis intervention.  Volunteering for four years with Trauma Intervention Programs, provided Debi with hundreds of hours of one-on-one trauma care experience.  Debi recently served for three years on the Board of Directors for the San Diego County CISM Team, initially as Secretary and then Vice-President.

 

Dr. Catherine Butler, Ed.D., LMFT

Advisory Board

Catherine is a marriage and family therapist in private practice in La Mesa, California.  A veteran of the Canadian Navy, and former middle school teacher, Catherine became a therapist in 2003 and has supported military and first responder families almost exclusively since then.  As a culturally competent therapist, she works to reduce the trauma which results from regular exposure to aversive events that can disrupt the balance and effectiveness of those who work in public safety.  As a trainer, she reaches out to various agencies and groups in the region to offer training on a variety of topics aimed at informing and educating on issues such as emergency responder exhaustion, compassion fatigue, Post Traumatic Stress Injuries, and trauma treatments.  She supports many local, state and federal agencies within San Diego County, and is also a volunteer clinician with the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR).