Firefighters honor their own

Four Green River firefighters were honored by their peers for the work and dedication they’ve given to the city’s fire department.

Tom Murphy received the department’s Best of the Best award for most training hours logged in 2020. Murphy received 383 hours throughout 2020 despite the department canceling its in-person training classes for several months to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.

Murphy is the department’s fire prevention officer and teaches fire safety to the city’s children as well as working as a firefighter.

Kole Burnett received the department’s Best of the Best award for most calls responded to during the year. Burnett responded to 536 calls in 2020. According to a press release from the fire department, Burnett can be counted on to do any role needed of him, including being a firefighter, driving a fire truck to a scene or acting as the command officer on a truck.

Lt. Austin Rider was earn the Best of the Best award for being the department’s officer of the year.

The award was granted to Rider through both the number of calls he has responded to and the number of training hours he had taken on, being a leader in both situations. Rider has also mentored many of the department’s younger members as they have gotten involved with the organization. John P. Apostolope, a captain for the department, was also honored by the GRFD for providing 30 years of service.

Apostoploe is the second of three generations that have served with the GRFD and has shared the experience he’s gained through the years with other firefighters as they progress in the department.

Apostolope also has the distinction of being the 2016 Firefighter of the Year for the State of Wyoming. Apostolope received a trophy recognizing his service while the other firefighters received a trophy and a professional wrestling-style championship belt for their service.