Mike Huffman joined the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department in the fall of 2000 after serving nine years with the North Park Fire Protection District. He was promoted to Lieutenant on June 8, 2010, Acting Captain on October 20, 2014, and was sworn in as a full Captain on February 13, 2015. Mike became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1993.
During his time with North Park Fire, Mike was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal for his heroism in helping rescue a young girl from her burning home. He has also been selected as a four-time participant in the prestigious Hurst Green Cross program, recognizing excellence in vehicle rescue.
Battalion Chief Huffman holds Illinois State certifications as Fire Officer II, Firefighter II and III, Hazardous Materials Operations, Hazardous Materials Incident Command, Instructor I and II, Trench Rescue Operations, Technical Rescue Awareness, Rope Rescue Operations, Emergency Roadway Extrication Technician, Vehicle Machinery Operations, Vehicle Machinery Technician, and Senior Fire Apparatus Operator. He has also completed extensive specialized training in vehicle extrication, heavy truck rescue, new vehicle technology, NFPA electric vehicle safety for emergency responders, Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) operations, fireground tactics, commercial building operations, rescue company operations, truck company operations, smoke diver training, and is fully NIMS compliant.
Battalion Chief Huffman currently serves as the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department's Extrication Team Leader. As the team's Incident Commander, he has represented the department in vehicle extrication competitions across the United States and internationally, competing in 18 regional, five national, and four international events.
In addition to his operational duties, Mike is an adjunct field instructor and assessor for the North American Vehicle Rescue Association (NAVRA). He has also served as an instructor at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), one of the world's premier fire service training conferences.
Mike is the co-founder of Auto X, a mobile training company that travels throughout the Midwest providing advanced vehicle extrication instruction. Through Auto X, he helped develop and implement the Crunch Time Vehicle Extrication Symposium and Bus Bash – School Bus Rescue, both nationally recognized hands-on training programs held in Illinois.
As an FDIC instructor, Mike and Auto X have presented numerous nationally attended classes, including:
2016–2017: Hand to Hand Combat – Vehicle Extrication (with PXT) 2018: The Art of Making Space (with PXT) 2019: Not Your Everyday Extrication 2020: Complete Extrication – Routine to Complex , which was selected for FDIC but canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Battalion Chief Huffman's extensive experience, dedication to technical rescue, and commitment to firefighter education have made him a respected leader within the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department and the vehicle rescue community throughout North America.
