First responders celebrated at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital annual BBQ
Posted 4/16/24
Tempe St. Luke's Hospital hosted its annual First Responders Annual BBQ on April 11, at the Ruben Romero Pavilion in Kiwanis Park in Tempe, recognizing the first responders who service the residents of Tempe and surrounding communities.
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
Community events
First responders celebrated at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital annual BBQ
Submitted Photo/Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital
The event serves as a way to recognize local first responders for their hard work in the community.
Submitted Photo/Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital
From left, former Fire Chief and current Tempe Deputy City Manager Greg Ruiz, Steward Healthcare’s Damon Brown, Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy and Tempe Mayor Corey Woods attended Tempe St. Luke's Hospital's First Responders Annual BBQ on April 11.
Submitted Photo/Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital
Local first responders enjoy an array of food during the BBQ event.
Submitted Photo/Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital
Rumrunner Steel Drum Band provided entertainment during the event.
Submitted Photo/Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital
Volunteers cook food at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Annual First Responders BBQ.
Kiwanis Park Mill Ave. and All America Way Tempe, AZ 85283
View larger map
Tempe St. Luke's Hospital hosted its First Responders Annual BBQ on April 11, at the Ruben Romero Pavilion in Kiwanis Park in Tempe, recognizing the first responders who service the residents of Tempe and surrounding communities.
A press release explained that the popular event is the hospital’s way of showing its appreciation for the Tempe Police Department, the Tempe, Guadalupe, Mesa and Phoenix fire and rescue departments and the AMR crews that all service Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital.
Hundreds of first responders attended this family-friendly event, as well as several Tempe leaders like Mayor Corey Woods, members of the Tempe City Council and Tempe Fire & Police leadership. The first responders are treated to a BBQ feast which includes steaks, chicken, salad and dessert.
Both current and former members are invited, and many make time to swing by and enjoy the food and live entertainment from the Rumrunner Steel Drum Band, according to the release.
Dr. Kent Layton began this event 40 years ago when he was medical director of the emergency department at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital to tighten the bond between the hospital and the first responders, the release detailed.
After Layton’s retirement, the tradition remained and grew even bigger over the years into the event it has become today, thanks in great part to Pre-Hospital Coordinator of Emergency Services Sheila Bryant and Boy Scout Troop 157 leader Tyler Montague.
The pair spearhead the event, planning, organizing and making sure attendees are well fed. Several members of Troop 157, including Owen Layton, Layton's son, serve as the BBQ chiefs, doing duty over the grills, the release noted.
