Statement from Fire and Rescue NSW

Dec 12, 2023

Today we mourn the loss of an extraordinary member of the Hawkesbury community, firefighter Michael Kidd. Michael paid the ultimate price while battling a house fire at Grose Vale, north-west of Sydney earlier today. He was known as a kind and selfless man who had been working to keep others safe for many years.

Michael Kidd.

Michael is understood to have been struck by a falling wooden beam during the blaze at a home on Grose Vale Road at 7:55am. Firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service provided initial medical assistance. Tragically, despite their efforts, he died at the scene.

Michael served as an on-call firefighter, attached to Richmond Fire Station, since joining us in 2010. He was awarded a National Emergency Medal and a Premier’s Bushfire Citation for protecting his local community during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

In 2020, he was recognised with a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. Michael had also been a volunteer member of the RFS since 1989, for which he received a National Medal and a Long Service Medal in 2013.

Michael is survived by his wife and two adult children. The impact of Michael’s death will be widely felt for a long time to come. We are supporting his family and his colleagues at this difficult time.

Support for the general community is also available through:

– Lifeline – 13 11 14

– Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636