Rachael began her career in public safety in 2000 as an EMT for a local ambulance company. In 2001, she became a volunteer firefighter with the City of Fountain in Colorado and then earned a position as its first paid, full-time female firefighter in 2002. Rachael was hired by Colorado Springs Fire Department in fall of 2005. By 2012, she was promoted to the rank of Paramedic; and, in 2016 was promoted to her current rank as Lieutenant.

Rachael also serves as the HOT coordinator for Women in Fire, teaching and coordinating Hands On training at conferences. Rachael currently serves as a mentor to firefighters from several different states, and actively participates in local recruitment and diversity panels.