IN THE U.S.
Lifeguard Fired in Florida for Saving a Life

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It was what he was trained to do – save a life. But instead of earning praise from his employer, Tomas Lopez got a pink slip.

"It was the moral thing to do. I would never pick a job over my morals," Lopez, 21, told South Florida's Sun-Sentinel after he went outside his beach's protected area to rescue a drowning man on Monday – and was later fired for doing so.

"I didn't think about it at all," Lopez said. "Someone needed my help. I wasn't going to say no."

After tending to the man, who was taken to hospital with water in his lungs, Lopez filled out an incident report, and was fired for leaving the protected area of the beach – ostensibly because of liability issues, as swimmers there could have gotten into trouble.

"They didn't tell me in a bad way. It was more like they were sorry, but rules are rules," said Lopez. "I couldn't believe what was happening."

Other lifeguards, however, reportedly watched the protected area while Lopez was down the beach. And the incident has now prompted a review of whether the lifeguard company, Jeff Ellis Management, was justified in firing Lopez.

"If we find our actions on the part of the leadership team were inappropriate, we will rectify it based upon the information that comes forward," said company owner Jeff Ellis.

Offered his job back but has decided not to take it
Tomas Lopez said he was offered an apology and the chance to return to work, but that he would prefer to pursue other opportunities instead.

"It's not out of spite or anything like that," Lopez said. "It's not I dislike the company. It's just I'd rather continue on in my life, finish my schooling, and get on with my life. And find another job.

Jeff Ellis, head of the company that provides lifeguarding services at Hallandale Beach, said Lopez was fired too quickly, and that no area of the beach was left unattended while he went to assist a distressed swimmer, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

"I am of the opinion that the supervisors acted hastily," Ellis told the newspaper.

Witnesses pulled the distressed man from the water, and Lopez and an off-duty nurse tended to him until paramedics arrived. Lopez was fired shortly after on grounds he'd broken a company rule by leaving his section of the beach.