Rachael Staebell Rachael Staebell has built a terrific career for the rest of us to admire. She is currently the President of "Women in Fire", a national organization that works to support and empower women in the fire and emergency services. Their vision is to "create a fire service community
where everyone thrives and can contribute their unique perspectives and skills to ensure safety and resilience for all." There is no doubt that such a vision enhances the tradition of institutional unity and improves the effectiveness of members of the fire service. Like many other successful firefighters, Rachael began her career in 2000 as an EMT with a local ambulance company. In 2002, she became the first full-time paid female firefighter in Fountain, Colorado. From Fountain, she moved to the Colorado Springs (CO) Fire Department where she served as a Firefighter/Paramedic and was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. After more than two decades of service in fire departments, she retired to share her passion, experience, and leadership with "Women in Fire" – focusing more on professional development, mentoring, cultural change, PPE, health issues, leadership, and providing overall support for women at all ranks within the fire service. Rachael often uses the phrase, "You can't be what you can't see" to stress the importance of the visibility and representation of women in all aspects of the fire service. This is important in so many ways, including recruiting firefighters, fire officers, and other fire service professionals into myriad positions and opportunities the fire service offers. The concept of "team" is part of her leadership foundation, and from being a
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