Lifeguard rescues man, gets fired

[Ed W]

Tomas Lopez was on his lifeguard station when a man needed assistance.  The man was 1500' outside Lopez' assigned area, but he ran to the rescue.  Dragging he man onto the beach, Lopez said that he was coughing up water.  He waited until paramedics transported the man to an area hospital.

Meanwhile, two other lifeguards covered the beach he'd left.  When Lopez returned, his supervisor fired him for leaving the area.

The story first hit the internet on Wednesday.  Jeff Ellis Management, the contractor responsible for firing Lopez, has been on the receiving end of a firestorm of criticism.  Earlier today, they offered Lopez his job back at the lifeguard post.  Lopez declined.

Four other lifeguards employed by Jeff Ellis Management resigned in solidarity with Lopez.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/fired-fla-lifeguard-offered-job-back/story?id=16716225

A smart company somewhere near Hallandale Beach would offer this kid a job that pays better than $8.25 an hour just for the publicity.



http://abcnews.go.com/US/fired-fla-lifeguard-offered-job-back/story?id=16716225

[guido911]

I read that earlier today. What dooshbags. Then they of course backpedal.

On Thursday the Jeff Ellis Management Company, which has the contract to provide lifeguards for Hallandale Beach's two beaches and municipal pool, said they were hasty in the firing of 21-year old Tomas Lopez on Monday and that at the time did not have all the facts.  When Lopez was dismissed, Ellis company officials said his actions had created liability issues and he should not have left his patrol area.  Now owner Jeff Ellis said they were operating under mis-information and the beach was, in reality, always covered and the lifeguards did what they were trained to do.

After Lopez was fired, three other lifeguards quit in protest and two others were also terminated.  Since then three more lifeguards quit.  All of the original six have been offered their jobs back, according to Ellis.  All six said have said 'thanks but no thanks', they're not interested.

[Emphasis added].
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/07/05/termination-of-hallandale-beach-lifeguard-being-reviewed/

[Conan71]

Lopez' own reality show is to premiere in six weeks on the Lifeguard Network.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Lopez' own reality show is to premiere in six weeks on the Lifeguard Network.

Good for him.  My initial impression, based on just these actions, is that he is probably a decent guy, at least at some level. 

 

[guido911]

Good for him. 
 

Agreed. The guy acted heroically and saved a person's life. All while earning $8.25/hr. Okay, there are a few perks working at the beach... The one thing this guy should have are employment options.

[Conan71]

Anyone else ever watch the Lifeguard Network?

[DolfanBob]

Anyone else ever watch the Lifeguard Network?

The one hosted by David Hasselhoff?