Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital hosted its 36th annual First Responders Picnic at Kiwanis Park in Tempe on March 29.

Several members of the TSLH staff were on hand to greet and serve current and former first responders who turned out for this year’s celebration, a press release explained.

Some special guests included Cliff Jones, Retired Chief of Tempe Fire and Rescue, and TSLH’s Pre-Hospital Coordinator Emergency Services, Sheila Bryant who has helped in keeping this wonderful event going for the past 30 years.

Dr. Kent Layton, who started this highly anticipated event nearly 40 years ago when he was the Medical Director of Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Emergency Department, even stopped in to attend this year’s event. Kent was joined by his wife Dottie and their son Owen, who serves as one of the grill masters.

“This is truly a family tradition for the Laytons. Dr. Layton’s son, Owen has been part of the BBQ since he was 11, and last year, Owen’s son joined his dad in helping grill and serve during the event,” the release detailed.

Both Owen Kent and his son are members of Boy Scout Troop #157, led by Tyler Montague. The troop is in charge of doing all the cooking, serving up steaks, chicken, salad and dessert to the several hundred current and former members of the Tempe Police, Fire & Rescue departments, Guadalupe Fire Department and AMR EMS crews.

Entertainment was supplied by the Rumrunner Steel Drum Band, of which Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital’s Wound Center Medical Director, Dr. T. Samuel Nwafor, is a member. Also on hand was the Tempe Police Department’s special bicycle patrol.

“The picnic is the hospital’s way of showing its gratitude and support for the men and women First Responders in both Tempe and Guadalupe who put their lives on the line every day for the people of our community,” the release stated.