Monterey Park firefighters fire up the grill, while encouraging public healing
The barbecue was particularly poignant since it was first responders who organized it, their own department jolted by the emotions of responding to the tragedy.
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
3-year-old Daniel Stoop gets a fist bump from Monterey Park firefighter Chase Henrich at a fundraiser for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
City officials attend a barbecue fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. Pictured from left are Councilmember Vinh Ngo, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Wong, Councilmember Henry Lo and City Treasurer Amy Lee. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
3-year-old Daniel Stoop attends a fundraiser with his family for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
From left, Alex Ly and Wendy Lo of Monterey Park and Julianne Yelmamoto of Long Beach attend a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Monterey Park officials attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. Pictured from left are Councilmember Vinh Ngo, Fire Department Capt. Dan Cline, City Treasurer Amy Lee and Councilmember Henry Lo. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles County firefighters attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The mayor of Alhambra, Adele Andrade-Stadler, shows her support for Monterey Park firefighters on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Monterey Park Fire Association hosts a barbecue to raise money for the Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
People attend a fundraiser for the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023, at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The clouds parted for a sunny Saturday afternoon that flowed into the perfect evening for a community barbecue — to continue a path toward healing, to recovery in Monterey Park.
Hosted by the city’s firefighters, the barbecue was in support of the Monterey Park Community Healing Fund.
A $5 donation secured a cheeseburger, chips, drink and cookie per guest, and in the bigger picture will go to a much bigger purpose — the fund.
It’s a fund that will support resources, such as emotional support efforts, that officials hope will restore a shattered sense of security after the Jan. 21 mass shooting that left 11 dead at Star Ballroom Dance Studio.
The barbecue was particularly poignant since it was first responders who organized it, their own department jolted by the emotions of responding to the tragedy.
Responders to the scene on Jan. 21 successfully transported surviving patients to the hospital, losing only one life after departure, officials said.
Fire Chief Matthew Hallock’s mantra has been to remember the lives saved thanks to the responder’s efforts.
But the toll the event took on his department prompted crisis response therapy, which was provided to the unit.
“It’s a good way to healing — talking and to try and look at better times,” said Daniel Cline, Executive Director of Monterey Park Firefighters.
While some on the fire department initially took a leave of absence without deadline to further process the event, as of this report, 17 of the 18 responders have returned to their duties. This positive prognosis is one the Fire Department hopes can happen for other community members affected by the tragedy.
