Part Of I-271 Named For Fallen Beachwood Firefighter

BEACHWOOD, OH — In a private ceremony on Monday, a portion I-271, between mile markers 28 and 32, was named for fallen Beachwood firefighter Captain Michael Palumbo. Palumbo lost his fight with brain cancer in 2017.

"This is a fitting tribute to Michael," Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters President Michael Taylor said. "Along with the legislation that bears his name, his legacy will be remembered for generations of fire fighters."

Palumbo's efforts led to the passing of the Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. Act, which says that firefighters that develop cancer will receive compensation benefits from the state, if they were exposed to an "agent classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer or its successor (IARC) as a Group 1 or 2A carcinogen."

Palumbo was a Cleveland resident and dedicated firefighter. He was a SWAT medic, part of the Beachwood hazmat team and honor guard. After a long battle with cancer, he left behind a wife, of 23 years, and five children.

Photo from Google Earth