By FireRescue1 Staff
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A longtime firefighter in Ohio has died after battling cancer.
WKYC reports firefighter Michael Palumbo died on Wednesday. He was the namesake of Ohio’s Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. Act, which allowed firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancers to get presumptive worker’s compensation.
While fighting for the legislation, which was enacted in early 2017, Palumbo was fighting for his own life as well. He worked until his health no longer allowed him to do so.
Palumbo worked for the Beachwood Fire Department since 1992. Before that he worked in the city he was born at Wilowick (Ohio) Fire Department. He was a captain, SWAT medic and hazmat team member as well as member of the honor guard.
A news release from Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters said Mike was “proud to be a firefighter. It was his lifelong dream.”
Palumbo leaves behind a wife of 23 years and five children.