Brian Bell
Survivor. Educator. Advocate. Twenty-five years with the Calgary Police Service, and a lifetime learning how to heal
His Story
From the front lines to the classroom
I am a native Calgarian, married, with four children and five grandchildren.
I served with the Calgary Police Service for over 25 years - as a Constable, Patrol Sergeant, and Detective. Occasionally, as a Detective, I worked in plain clothes details. Later in my career I was assigned to the Traffic Enforcement / Traffic Investigation Section, as well as the Tactical Support unit.
After leaving the police service, I worked with three companies as a Senior Manager or Manager. In 2007 I created Bell Safety Consulting, providing the services typical of a Safety Manager - insight into provincial and federal legislation, safety management systems, safety training, audit preparation, and incident investigation.
For the last decade, I have worked closely with the Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships as one of their instructors, providing safety-related training in and around Calgary, and traveling the province to teach their core safety programs.
Beyond my instructional responsibilities, I created a Business Continuity course, a Critical Incident course, and - lastly - the Surviving PTSD course.
PTSD and Me
My PTSD started at age five. I was living in a deeply dysfunctional family, where alcohol abuse, emotional trauma, neglect, and on occasion physical violence were a constant problem.
At age seven, an unknown male teen sexually assaulted me. My mother entered the room while this was happening and did not intervene. She said nothing, but put a blanket on us and walked away.
Her failure to come to my aid affected me more than any other traumatic event I suffered. The act of walking away changed the trajectory of my life, leaving me feeling bitterly betrayed, damaged, and ashamed.
Twenty-five years of police work exposed me to the worst we humans can do to each other, which added to the depth of my PTSD.
Like others in deep emotional pain, I turned to alcohol. Excessive alcohol use over my adult life caused many more problems.
Late in life, I finally came to the realization that I needed help to survive, and found an incredible clinician who saved me from myself.
Today, I am sober, clear-eyed, and strong in mind and body.
After years of intensive counselling, coupled with my life lessons and the teachings of professionals in the field of PTSD, I am now in a position to offer support and understanding to help those with various forms of PTSD manage their recovery.
I have dedicated this website to that purpose.
Mission Statement
Surviving PTSD
My website Surviving PTSD exists to offer understanding, guidance, and hope to anyone carrying the weight of trauma.
Rooted in my own lived experience - childhood abuse, a dysfunctional family, the cumulative trauma of police work, years of alcoholism, and the long climb back from the edge - this platform is built on truth, resilience, and the belief that recovery is possible for every person.
I survived what tried to break me. Today, I use that hard-earned experience, along with decades of professional service and training, to help others navigate their own path through PTSD.
If you're seeking deeper support, personal insight, or simply a place where your experience is understood, I invite you to visit survivingptsd.ca. It's a space where real stories meet professional guidance - a place to learn, to reflect, and to feel less alone.
There you'll find conversations with respected experts, practical articles, and resources shaped by both lived experience and years of helping individuals and organizations respond to trauma. I also offer speaking engagements, sharing my story and the lessons learned from working with communities, first responders, and people rebuilding their lives.
Recovery is possible. Surviving PTSD exists to show that strength can be rebuilt, healing can happen, and a meaningful life is within reach - no matter where your story began.
No one should face PTSD alone.
The Journey
A life in two chapters
Where it began
Growing up in a deeply dysfunctional family - alcohol abuse, emotional trauma, neglect, and on occasion physical violence were a constant problem.
A betrayal that changed everything
An assault, and a mother who walked away instead of stepping in - a moment that left a mark deeper than the event itself.
Calgary Police Service
Constable, Patrol Sergeant, and Detective - including plain clothes details, Traffic Enforcement / Investigation, and Tactical Support.
Bell Safety Consulting
After leaving the force, Brian moved into senior management before founding his own safety consulting practice.
Teaching, and finally, healing
Instructing with the Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships, creating new courses, and - after years of intensive counselling - finding sobriety and clarity.
Surviving PTSD
Brian created this course, and this site, to offer the support and understanding he searched for and couldn't find.
You don't have to carry this alone.
Brian built this resource because nothing like it existed when he needed it. Start with the free videos, or join him live.
Proudly affiliated with
HOW IT STARTED
From management to the front of the room
After retiring from the Calgary Police Service, Brian spent several years in management roles with four Calgary-based companies.
One of those organizations relied on the Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships (AASP) for their safety management systems – and that’s where the connection began.
Through that work, Brian completed both AASP’s internal and external auditor courses, developing a deep familiarity with their programs and curriculum. Before long, he was informally teaching AASP modules to colleagues.
After a couple of years of instructing their material on an informal basis, AASP offered Brian an official instructor position – an opportunity he accepted more than ten years ago, and one he continues to hold today.
Here is where Brian really fine tuned his classroom instruction abilities.
Here is where he learned how to speak WITH people and not TO people. The many positive evaluation comments reflect this skill and understanding of the individuals needs in a class environment.
Courses Brian Created
Three modules. Each one built from lived experience.
Beyond his instructional responsibilities, Brian developed three original courses for AASP – each drawing on his background in policing, safety management, and personal recovery.
MODULE 14
Critical Incident and You
Brian-authored
MODULE 15
Business Continuity Management
Brian-authored
MODULE 16
Surviving PTSD
Brian-authored
Brian's Take
Why he recommends AASP
Brian strongly encourages anyone interested in safety management to explore AASP’s programs – and he doesn’t say that lightly.
"In my experience, they are the strongest and most effective Certifying Partner in Alberta."
- Brian Bell, AASP Instructor