Math might not be the first thing you think about when pursuing a career in firefighting, but it’s a crucial component in fighting fires and keeping you and your team safe.

Last week our 8th-grade math class got hands-on experience with a firefighter from the Flower Mound Fire Department, Mr. Parish, who showed them the importance of a solid math foundation. During the class, he showed them how critical decisions need to be made based on the calculations of the fire scene. For example, if someone at the scene is injured and they need to administer fentanyl for pain management, they need to use math to calculate how much to give them specifically based on their weight.

At the end of class, Mr. Parish let each of them spray the fire hose, which shoots up to 300 gallons of water a minute, into an open field and feel the force of the water pulsing out of it. By allowing these students the opportunity to learn through authentic, real life, and relevant experiences, we are giving them the ability to see how their education can and will live successfully beyond their time here at Brook Hill.