Mike Higgins was promoted to battalion chief for the Grayslake Fire Protection District in September 2019. | Photo: Grayslake Fire District

The Grayslake Fire Protection District announced with a “heavy heart” on Monday that Battalion Chief Mike Higgins, who served on the department for 26 years, has died.

Higgins served 21 of those years as a full-time member.

He was promoted from lieutenant to battalion chief for the department’s gold shift in September 2019.

Higgins was the department’s emergency medical services chief and worked closely with area hospitals.

Mike Higgins was promoted to battalion chief for the Grayslake Fire Protection District in September 2019. | Photo: Grayslake Fire District

He taught emergency medical services part-time for Advocate Condell Medical Center and acted as a liaison to Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital.

No further details were released out of respect for Higgins’ family, the fire district said.

Multiple area fire departments offered their condolences to the Grayslake Fire Protection District on social media.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office said they were also not releasing details on the cause of death.

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An announcement regarding funeral services is expected to be published publicly once available.