St. Tammany firefighters show students why math is important

 UPDATED 10:44 AM CDT May 15, 2013

Many kids grow up wanting to be firefighters.

However, they’re usually a little less excited about math.

St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 tried to change that Tuesday.

Firefighters visited Florida Ave. Elementary in Slidell to show sixth grade students how math is used in firefighting.

Firefighters told students how math allows them to calculate the occupant load for buildings as well as swimming pool occupancy, insuring safety.

Additionally a firefighter, who dives recreationally, shared with the students how important math is in personal safety when diving. 

The firefighters brought a ladder truck and a rescue truck to the elementary school to demonstrate how they use math calculations to flow water through the fire hoses at the correct pressures.

The kids were allowed to feel the water flow from the nozzle at various pressures as well as see the operation of the pump panel which supplied water to the hose.

St. Tammany firefighters make math a priority with students
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