tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post1580117652340447244..comments2024-02-25T15:50:47.028-08:00Comments on Report on Conditions: Ya Gotta Be Freakin" Killin' MeCapt. Schmoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-25195061754987890232012-07-08T09:29:01.298-07:002012-07-08T09:29:01.298-07:00BH - Without knowing the terms and length of the c...BH - Without knowing the terms and length of the contract, I really can't say but it is pretty safe to assume that Mr. Ellis isn't providing his services without at least the intent of making a profit. As he has been in business for quite some time, I am pretty confident that he IS making money.<br /><br />Usually, cities contract service as these to save personnel cost such as wages and benefits. As lifeguards tend to be part-time, temporary employees, wages and benefits are not usually an issue. $8.25 an hour is $8.25 regardless who pays it.<br /><br />Maybe the city feels that the administrative burden of the task makes contracting it out easier or cheaper, but I'd bet the savings are not as much as they thought it would be, especially when all of the factors are added up. <br /><br />I'm guessing that this incident will prompt some form of review of the matter. If not, it should.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment.Capt. Schmoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-78550307037861774182012-07-07T20:20:23.055-07:002012-07-07T20:20:23.055-07:00So I guess the question becomes, for the $300,000+...So I guess the question becomes, for the $300,000+ that Ellis is getting from the city to cover that beach with $8.25/hour lifeguards, why doesn't the contract include the area Lopez made the rescue from?BHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-11134019935569016682012-07-05T22:11:56.776-07:002012-07-05T22:11:56.776-07:00Lunchbox - As good an instructor Ellis might be, t...Lunchbox - As good an instructor Ellis might be, the pooch got screwed on this one. I read that Tomas Lopez was scheduled to be on CNN tonight, that can't be good for business.<br /><br />I understand the need to follow terms of a contract, but a little common sense would have gone a long way here.<br /><br />Imagine some kid on a stand at the beach, making $8.25 an hour. The kid is suddenly put in a position where they have to choose to cross a line, save a life and get fired or stand by and keep their job. I hope they would make the right choice.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment.Capt. Schmoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02394460305247627610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489648728739050434.post-2413291401990675752012-07-05T19:14:56.951-07:002012-07-05T19:14:56.951-07:00Capt. Schmoe,
Although I haven't dealt with E...Capt. Schmoe,<br /><br />Although I haven't dealt with Ellis & Associates (that's how I knew them back when..) for over 20 years, I strongly doubt Jeff Ellis has changed his management style much. The company trained all of the lifeguards at a waterpark in Palm Springs when I worked there in 1987-89, and Jeff Ellis himself used to get into the pool with us to test our skills. He was a damned fine instructor, and when you had to rescue him, you'd better be ready for a real rescue. The man came as close to actually drowning himself as one can get, in order to add realism to the rescue skills test for deep water lifeguards. <br /><br />Do I think he knew beforehand about the firings? Most likely. I'm sure the reversal is more geared towards keeping a highly profitable contract, and less about public opinion for the "right thing to do" aspect. But, I wasn't in the room, so that's just my two cents. That and about $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee these days.Lunchboxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11796607975345337449noreply@blogger.com