Lifeguard sacked for guarding life

Tomas Lopez says he never thought getting fired would make him so popular. But since his controversial firing on Monday, the 21-year-old former lifeguard from Florida said his phone has been ringing off the hook from journalists trying to get his side of the story. "The reason I was fired is just ridiculous," Lopez told CNN late last night. "It is a ridiculous rule, really. What was I supposed to do? Just let the guy drown?" I wouldn't have. His employer's reason? Orlando-based Jeff Ellis and Associates, the company Lopez worked for, says lifeguards cannot go beyond the perimeter of the beach they are responsible for overseeing. But that day, a beachgoer rushed to Lopez's lifeguard station to alert him to a man who was drowning. Even though Lopez knew the man was some 1,500 feet outside the company's protection zone in an area where signs warn visitors to swim at their own risk, he ran into the ocean toward the struggling man and pulled him ashore. Going beyond his protection zone in a possible life-or-death situation is not a reason to punish such a heroic act. Lifeguards are supposed to help people around water because that's their job. This particular lifeguard went above and beyond the call of duty to rescue a swimmer in need of his services, and I would've given him a raise for it instead of belly-aching about him venturing outside his perimeter. How any employer would fire an employee for doing their job is just stupid.