Fired Fla. lifeguard rejects offer to return Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Published 10:55 p.m., Thursday, July 5, 2012 The Florida lifeguard who was fired after leaving his post to help rescue a swimmer outside his zone was 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.