FRNSW & RFS volunteer Michael Kidd among 17 personnel added to National Emergency Services Memorial

On Thursday, 2 May 2024, the names of 17 emergency service personnel, including NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members, were added to the National Emergency Services Memorial after they paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting others. 

Among the emergency service personnel remembered on Thursday was Fire and Service NSW (FRNSW) Firefighter and RFS volunteer Michael Kidd, who died on 12 December 2023 from injuries sustained when a beam fell on him at a house fire in Grose Vale, Hawkesbury. 

On 22 December, a vintage fire truck carried the fallen firefighter to his funeral at St Monica’s Catholic Church in Richmond. Family, friends, fellow firefighters and personnel attended the funeral with full honours to farewell the veteran firefighter.

The 51-year-old Michael had volunteered for 34 years with the Rural Fire Service and served 13 years with Fire and Rescue NSW. He is remembered as an “ever-doting” dad, husband of 26 years to his wife, and father of two. 

He received multiple awards and recognitions, such as a National Emergency Medal, a Premier’s Bushfire Citation for his contribution during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in 2020, a National Medal, and a Long Service Medal. 

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib and Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers AFSM joined special guests and family members of those being honoured at the annual memorial service held in Canberra on Thursday morning.

“Today we remember and thank the men and women who have died in the line of duty, while protecting communities across NSW and further afield,” Minister Dib said.

“Through this memorial, which now holds the names of more than 500 personnel from Australia and New Zealand, their legacy lives on as a testament to the resilience and courage that defines our emergency service family.”

Commissioner Rogers said, this year, in addition to the many RFS members whose names are engraved on the memorial, the families of four firefighters who died in the past year have been presented with AFAC Memorial Medallions.

• • • Senior Deputy Captain John Holmes, a member of the Mallanganee Brigade, passed away last October following a medical episode while helping battle the Bean Creek fire in the Kyogle area.
    • Captain Leo Fransen, a member of the Diamond Beach Brigade on the Mid Coast, died after he was struck by a tree while working on the Hudson fire outside of Walgett in November.
    • Group Captain Dale Bowles, a member in the Mid Murray, having responded to a car fire in the Moama area, passed away after suffering a medical episode in December.
    • Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Firefighter and RFS Member Michael Kidd died while battling a house fire in his capacity with Fire and Rescue NSW at Grose Vale in Sydney’s northwest late last year.

“This is a fitting tribute to them and all who have tragically left us while carrying out the selfless act of defending others,” Commissioner Rogers said.

“Our thoughts continue to be with their families, loved ones, friends and fellow brigade members.”

The National Memorial is situated on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. The National Memorial Service is held annually and is coordinated by the Australasian Fire & Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC).