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At Vernon Township Fire Department in Indiana, the drive to serve starts early. For Chief Kiely Culberson, it began as a child, running mock drills and playing the role of patient at the local fire station, where her father was chief for 27 years. “We were always at the fire station. It was the coolest thing in the world,” she recalls. Now, she’s leading one of the fastest-growing fire departments in Indiana, responding to a rising volume of emergency calls across diverse settings—from rural backroads to busy neighborhoods.

A department that defies expectations

With 20% of its team made up of women, Vernon Township is challenging stereotypes in fire service. For Chief Culberson, the journey to leadership wasn’t without obstacles. “There was definitely bias because I was a woman. People would say, ‘you can’t lift me, you’re just a girl.’” But her journey from EMT to EMS Chief is a testament to her resilience and determination.

At Vernon, that spirit of empowerment is part of the culture. “Here, I don’t feel like a female firefighter—I just feel like a firefighter,” says one team member.

That sense of unity and respect drives the team to face any call, from house fires to hazardous material incidents. With the Vernon Township community expanding and call volumes rising, the need for versatility and support in the field has never been greater.

Tools that support the work

When Chief Culberson transitioned to Vernon Township Fire Department, her first priority was to equip her team with the right tools to support their growing call volume and diverse range of emergencies. That included Stryker’s Power-PRO 2 powered ambulance cot and Power-LOAD powered cot fastener. These powered solutions allow the team to transport patients with less strain on the low back.^1,2

“With Stryker coming out with the powered cots, I think that’s really alleviated a lot of those back issues,” Chief Culberson says. “We’re not lifting the brute force of all of them anymore.”

Vernon Township Fire Department also relies on Xpedition, Styker’s powered stair chair, to transport patients in narrow stairwells and tight spaces, making a tough task possible for just two people.

Empowered to perform

For Chief Culberson, supporting her team is about more than equipment—it’s about protecting their futures. “I want them to be able to pick up their children,” she says. “And if they’re not able to do that because of an injury, then that’s on us.”

With Stryker’s powered solutions, Vernon Township’s responders can focus on patient care instead of heavy lifting.³ “I love my job, and I also would like to be able to work for at least 20 years, maybe more. I just feel safer with having those resources.”

The right tools make the difference, and for Vernon Township Fire Department, part of that difference means being able to serve their community safely, effectively and for the long haul.