‘Safest BBQ’ hosted at hospital for Langley first responders

This article was written by Matthew Claxton and originally published by the Langley Advance Times.

Langley firefighters, Emergency Health Services paramedics, and local RCMP all tend to build relationships with Langley Memorial Hospital.

When someone has a medical emergency or injury, it’s one of those first responders who will see them on their way to the emergency room.

To say thank you, and build relationships with their partners, the hospital has held an event dubbed the World’s Safest BBQ every spring, and the meal and party entered its third year this May 1.

It’s the first year at the event for Cathy Wiebe, executive director of Langley Memorial Hospital and Langley Health Services. She just started in the role three months ago, but was excited about the barbecue.

“What I love about these kind of events is showing how we all work together,” Wiebe said.

“Having those linkages is so important in supporting our patients,” she noted.

It’s also about celebrating the hard work of the paramedics, firefighters, and police.

Langley Township firefighters were manning the grill, cooking meat and veggie burgers, hot dogs, and onions.

RCMP officers were on hand to make connections as well.

Const. Tyler Doyle and Const. Amir Koshkolgh are both members of the detachment’s mental health team, so they have frequent contact with the hospital.

“We want to make sure we have a good connection with Langley [Memorial Hospital],” said Doyle.

“A huge partner of ours,” added Khoshkolgh.

About 300 people were expected over several hours, said Jenn Reddy, who helped organize the event with her boss, Jessica Wakeling, director of the Emergency Department.

“It’s our way of saying thanks to all the first responders,” she said.

Emergency Department manager Ron Bate, a longtime nurse, said the event was organized by the hospital itself, with the support of the Langley Community Health & Hospital Foundation, and all the first responder groups.

In addition to food, the event included a fire truck-themed inflatable obstacle course, a dunk tank, and games such as velcro darts.