Update: Palumbo Fights Through Hours of Surgery

This story was updated at 9 a.m., March 26

In the past week, since surviving a life-threatening one-vehicle accident, Frank, “Frankie” Palumbo has undergone more than 24 hours of surgery. A volunteer firefighter with , Palumbo has been surrounded by friends and family at Yale-New Haven Hospital where he has been through many surgeries since his March 17 car accident at the intersection of Leetes Island and Sawmill roads.

Deputy Chief Ron Mullen has reported that Palumbo pulled through his most recent and serious surgery Friday night. “The doctors stated 'he tolerated the surgery very well,’” Mullen reported.

Palumbo was unable to be extubated after several attemps following the surgery but the doctors have informed Mullen and family that it is not uncommon with such extensive surgery. Because of the difficulty in extubating Palumbo, he has had to communicate with family by writing questions and answers but he has been conscious since the surgeries began.

Palumbo sustained serious injuries to his lower exterminates when colliding with a pole the evening of his accident. Mullen said the injuries to his hip and pelvis where much more severe than anticipated and will require that he undergo another minimum eight hours of surgery on Monday and Wednesday.

Patch will keep you updated on Palumbo’s progress as he undergoes subsequent surgeries this week. His family is checking Patch so please feel free to leave thoughts or messages here. 

This story was updated at 7 a.m., March 23

Deputy Chief Ron Mullen has shared that volunteer firefighter Frank "Frankie" Palumbo who sustained life-threatening injuries in a one-vehicle car accident on March 17, "is holding his own." Palumbo will undergo what could be a very lengthy surgery today – already he has multiple surgeries since the accident. "Bottom line," reported Mullen to the fire department, "is they (the doctors) won't really know how long the surgery will last until they have begun their procedures.  The surgical team itself is quiet large with numerous "specialists" standing by or taking part in the surgery."

For those of you who know Palumbo, today would be a good day to keep him in your thoughts. "The fact that he is tough as a "bull" will certainly be in his favor tomorrow [today]," said Mullen. 

Updates to come.

This story was updated at 7:15 a.m., March 22

Below is a message from  Deputy Chief Ron Mullen on behalf of the Palumbo family. While Branford resident Frank Palumbo, a volunteer firefighter with , slowly gains strength following a life-threatening one-vehicle accident Saturday, March 17, his grandmother has died [Monday, March 19]. The family continues to support their son through his recovery and is mourning the loss of another family member. 

Palumbo will hopefully be undergoing a very important surgery tomorrow. 

Capt. Steve Palumbo has asked me [Deputy Chief Ron Mullen] to provide an update as to the condition of his son Frank in order to reduce the many but truly appreciated phone calls and I stress both Steve and Bonnie truly appreciate the show of support through the many phone calls.

Frank has gone through a number of lengthy and extremely detailed  surgeries and procedures.  All of which have produced positive results and the prognosis is much better than had initially been thought.

Frank has been extubated and communicating with family members. There will be many more surgeries to come with a very important one tentatively scheduled for Friday.

Only family members are allowed to see Frank in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit on the 6th floor at Yale.

On top of this tragic occurrence, his grandmother passed away on Monday.

Steve, Bonnie, Stevie and Jess wish to thank everyone  for their show of support and would also like to say thank you to the firefighters and police officers who responded to, treated, and transported frank after his accident.

Ronald R. Mullen
Deputy Chief
Division 3

 This story was updated at 2 p.m., March 21

After spending several days in intensive care and undergoing multiple surgeries, Branford volunteer firefighter Frank Palumbo's condition is improving according to authorities. 

Palumbo sustained life-threatening injuries in a one-vehicle accident on Leetes Island Road at Sawmill Road, on the evening of March 17, St. Patrick's Day. 

Police were investigating the cause of the accident and to the best of Captain Geoffrey Morgan's knowledge, have not conducted an interview with the victim based on his condition. 

Updates will be made as available. 

This story was updated at 10:10 a.m., March 18

At approximately 10 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day, and responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident on Leetes Island Road at Sawmill Road. 

The driver, Frank Palumbo, 29, of 508 Leetes Island Road Branford, sustained life-threatening injuries. Branford Police Captain Geoffrey Morgan stated that the cause of the accident is undetermined pending an investigation. At this point, no conditional factors such as intoxication are known, stated Morgan.

Sergeant Richard Dahlin, who is supervising the investigation said, “At this point we believe that Palumbo was traveling westbound on Leetes Island Road and he veered across the west bound lane striking a utility pole.”*

Firefighters had to perform an extrication to remove Palumbo from his 2000 Chevrolet pick-up truck. He was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital. Overnight, the victim was treated with extensive surgeries, Morgan stated, and is believed to still be in seious condition. He sustained major injures to lower extremities, Morgan stated.

Palumbo is listed as a 2nd Lieutenant Volunteer firefighter with ; his father Steve Palumbo, Sr. is Captain of the company. 

An update on the victim’s condition as well as the police investigation will be released as soon it becomes available. 

Anyone with information concerning the investigation should contact Officer Luigi Amasino at 203-481-4241.

*Branford Police issued retraction of this quote as Sgt. Dahlin said westbound not eastbound as originally reported. The above information is correct.