Safety Manager

Volunteer as a Safety Manager

FIRST Robotics Competition Only

The Safety Manager role oversees the Safety Attendants to increase the awareness of safety. Volunteers in this role will work with teams, volunteers, and spectators to ensure they understand, comply with, and practice the fundamentals of safety to ensure the safety of all FIRST event participants. The FIRST Safety program nurtures a positive reinforcement model that emphasizes safe behavior and coaching to correct unsafe behavior. The goal is to have a safe event and to promote safety as a holistic life skill. Safety Managers will receive training prior to the event and maintain a high level of safety as stated in the FIRST Safety Manual and FIRST Game & Event Rules Manual.

Minimum Age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent)

• Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner 

Experience: Either FIRST or Related Field Experience preferred

Training: No pre-event training required

• Safety Manager Training is required through FIRST Training. 
• Please review the following resources before the event:
  
  • Safety Manager Info
  • FIRST Safety Manual

Role Details:

• Discuss event safety at Lead Mentor meetings (if applicable)
• Knowledge of safety issues
• Conduct Safety Captain meetings at event
• Manage the daily Safety Recognition awards
• Attend the daily morning meeting if directed by the Event Manager
• Monitor venue walkways, aisles, stairways, and entrance points to keep these areas accessible 
  
  • Alert the Event Manager/Program Delivery Partner to unsafe areas or behaviors 
• Oversee Pit safety from beginning to the end of the event including Load in and Load out
• Monitor Safety glasses tables to ensure safety glass stations are properly stocked and running efficiently
• Thorough knowledge of the safety principles required, work related safety background preferred
• Ability to "take charge"; be assertive
• Ability to link FIRST principles to a safety approach and move teams to compliance
• Ability to move about the facility
• Ability to work and interact with volunteers, team members, contracted staff, and FIRST staff 
• Approachable and friendly personality
• Strong interpersonal/communication skills focused on a coaching approach
• Volunteers should focus on the role they are filling at that event. This includes:
  • Helping avoid the appearance of bias by not cheering for one specific team when wearing official event apparel (volunteer shirt or FIRST/Partner staff clothing). Instead, we encourage volunteers to cheer for all teams equally.  
  • Refrain from accessing sensitive event areas unless they are necessary to fulfill your volunteer role for this event. This can include playing field access, scoring table and judging rooms.
  • Wearing volunteer specific apparel (e.g. FTA shirt, Robot Inspector hat, etc) only when filling that specific role.  
• Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

Volunteer Time Commitment:

• Must pass Safety Manager certification a minimum of one week prior to the event 
• Minimum 2 full day commitment (Districts)
• Minimum 3 full day commitment (Regionals)

Reports to: Event Manager

Resource Links:

• FIRST Safety Manual
• FIRST Robotics Competition Game Manual & Related Materials (Event Rules Section)
• Safety Manager Training
• Safety Glasses Sign Out Sheet (optional)
• Return Safety Glasses Sign (optional)

Want to prepare to be a Safety Manager? Safety Attendant is a great introductory role to start volunteering around the field.