Reported CBC.ca:
While manning his post at Hallandale Beach, Fla., Tomaz Lopez was informed about a man struggling in a "swim at your own risk area," according to TIME Newsfeed.
Lopez, 21, and an off-duty nurse rushed to pull the man out of the water and attended to him until paramedics arrived. The man is now reported to be in stable condition.
After filing an incident report to his employer, Lopez was fired for moving to an area outside of his assigned jurisdiction.
His employer, Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc., originally said that by leaving his jurisdiction, Lopez became a legal liability by leaving his assigned area unattended.
At least two other lifeguards were fired after telling their supervisors that they would have done the same thing in Lopez's situation, and four others quit in protest to Lopez's release.Lopez has been offered his job back, but he refused. And the City of Hallandale is rethinking privatization of its lifeguard services. Good idea.
The Occasional Planet lists seven reasons why privatization sucks, despite the myths about its benefits:
Myth #1: Privatization saves money.We've been making those arguments all along about privatizing the prisons in Florida.
The Truth: Privatization often raises costs for the public and governments.
Myth #2: Private companies do a better job than the public sector.
The Truth: Many examples show declines in service quality under private contractors.
Myth #3: Privatization allows governmental entities to better anticipate and control budgetary costs.
The Truth: Cost estimates are extremely unreliable and privatization can cause result in unforeseen budgetary consequences.
Myth #4: Privatization allows governmental entities more administrative flexibility.
The Truth: Privatization requires substantial administrative resources for monitoring and oversight.
Myth #5: The public still maintains control over a privatized asset or service and the government retains the ultimate ability to make related public policy decisions.
The Truth: Privatization can bind the hands of policymakers for years, allowing private companies significant control of a privatized asset or service and the ability to dictate important policy decisions.
Myth #6: If anything goes wrong, the government can easily fire the contractor or adjust the contract.
The Truth: Reversing privatization involves huge costs and service interruptions.
Myth #7: Companies are chosen for privatization contracts on the merits, not based on political or financial connections.
The Truth: Government for profit opens doors to unscrupulous behavior by politicians and businesses.
