Our very own shining star

Cali was presented the Safety All Star Award March 8, 2025

St. Joseph District FRC Event - March 7 and 8, 2025

Calandra Layne, "Cali" to us lucky enough to know her, stepped into the roll of Safety Captain during the 2024 season. The season before that, Cali worked as an apprentice. MegaHurtz has a long reputation of being a safety leader at our events. Over the years, we've received several acknowledgements including the pit safety award three years in a row. (Before it was discontinued) What makes this award so special is that it begins with Cali's peers. Safety Captains nominate other Safety Captains they feel should get special recognition. An event coordinator goes through these submissions and interviews the nominated Safety Captains. Cali was recognized for her attention to pit safety, organization, safety equipment and the special training she has organized for our team. This training most recently included a paramedic that came to our workshop to go over basic first aid and event specific safety concerns and responses.

The FIRST culture emphasizes safety first in all that we do, and it is the Safety Captain's responsibility to ensure all team members are adhering to that principal as well as following all rules and guidelines for the workshop and events the team travels to. Cali inventories and administers our first aid, ensures we have the correct safety gear and PPE, and schedules trainings including CPR for students and mentors. This year, Cali borrowed a glucose monitoring kit and an emergency first aid kit that included a tourniquet for the competition. These often overlooked items can mean life or death when they're needed. Cali's next move is to secure funding for our team to purchase our own kits to have at our workshop and competition safety cabinet.

Congratulations, Cali. Everyone on the team is proud of you and safer because of your efforts!