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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.

Mr. Parish’s visit turned equations and decimals into life-saving decisions, showing just how vital it is to know your numbers when every second counts. Whether it’s calculating proper medication dosages or managing water pressure to extinguish a blaze effectively, the lesson made one thing clear: math isn’t just for tests—it’s for real life. And that fire hose? Let’s just say the students walked away with a whole new respect for the strength and precision firefighters need to do their job safely and effectively.

In much the same way, maintaining safety in high-risk areas like construction sites, vacant buildings, or crowded venues requires precise and reliable oversight. The role of  in those environments is more than standing by—it’s about quick thinking, thorough patrols, and up-to-date knowledge of fire hazards and prevention protocols. These guards are trained to monitor conditions closely, identify potential threats before they escalate, and respond immediately in case of emergencies. Just like firefighters depend on accurate data and clear judgment at the scene, fire watch professionals apply focused vigilance to protect lives and property. It’s this layered, proactive approach to safety that brings peace of mind in settings where the unexpected can happen in a flash.