Meet our Lead Instructors
At the heart of our Fire and EMS programs are experienced, dedicated Instructors who bring real-world knowledge and a passion for service into every classroom and training scenario. Our lead instructors are not only certified professionals with years of field experience—they are also committed mentors who shape the next generation of emergency responders.
Whether guiding students through the fundamentals or preparing them for high-pressure situations, these leaders are the backbone of our programs and a key part of our mission to deliver excellence in emergency services education.
“There is no higher honor than to be given the responsibility to care for another human being.”—Richard K. Schachern
Jerome Kuketz
Lieutenant - Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department
Lieutenant Kuketz lends 20 years of teaching experience to his classes, having started as an instructor at CSRIPS in 2006. He has experience teaching all 3 of our core programs during his time at the Academy.
Sophia Moser
Battalion Chief - Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department
With a combined 20 years of instructional experience (including 4 years in EMT-Basic and 15 years in Firefighter I & II), Battalion Chief Moser brings exceptional expertise to the training grounds of CSRIPS. A 17-year member of USAR and a 20-year Honor Guard veteran, she was the most recent Lead Instructor to oversee a Firefighter I & II class that achieved a 100% pass rate in 2023.
Tama Leao
Captain - Pompano Beach Fire Rescue
Captain Leao is one of our newest Lead Instructors, bringing 8 years of teaching experience to the classroom. His passion for pharmacology has only enhanced his ability to deliver high-quality instruction within CSRIPS's EMS programs. In addition to teaching, Captain Leao serves as the Academy’s EMS Equipment Manager, ensuring our students train with top-tier tools to build skills, run realistic scenarios, and receive the best possible education.
When he's not teaching or on shift, you’ll find him spending time with his family, cheering on the Miami Dolphins, hunting for the best sushi—or all three at once. Captain Leao is proud to be a first-generation firefighter and is excited to help shape the next generation of EMS professionals.
Thomas Palazzo 
Driver/Engineer - Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department
Driver/Engineer Palazzo brings 20 years of teaching experience—all proudly served at CSRIPS—and is an alumnus of the Firefighter I & II Class 02-05, one of the Academy’s early cohorts. With an impressive list of accomplishments, including a Bachelor’s degree, Fire Instructor III, Fire Officer I, and Live Fire Training Instructor III, D/E Palazzo understands firsthand the value and demands of educational advancement in the fire service.
He began his career as a Volunteer Firefighter with the City of Coral Springs in 1999, was hired as a paid Firefighter in 2004, and earned his promotion to Driver/Engineer in 2007. D/E serves on CSPFD's Honor Guard today.
Karl Kellenberger
Lieutenant - Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department
Since 2000, Lieutenant Kellenberger has demonstrated his deep passion for training the next generation of EMS providers. Over the course of his 35-year career, he has received numerous Lifesaving Commendations, Phoenix Awards, and Crew Citations—recognition that serves as a powerful example of excellence and dedication for his students.
At CSRIPS, Lt. Kellenberger delivers high-quality education while also serving as the head of the Promotional Division, where he oversees rigorous assessments that support promotional advancement within departments across Florida. While a former Driver/Engineer with CSPFD, his enduring passion for EMS—particularly in Cardiac Arrest management and Pediatrics—drives his commitment to mentoring. Helping students achieve their goals and watching them succeed continues to reinforce his dedication to teaching.
Christopher Russo 
Captain - Sunrise Fire Rescue
Captain Russo began his instructing career in 2010 within his department and joined CSRIPS in 2015. A graduate of CSFA Fire Class 03-02, his focus now points toward EMS and is known for his enthusiasm while translating textbook concepts into practical, hands-on lab skills. His real-world experience and approachable teaching style make him a valuable asset to the program. He also serves as the Clinical Coordinator for CSRIPS EMS students, a required part of their field hours.
Over his career, Capt. Russo has been honored multiple times with Firefighter of the Year and Instructor of the Year awards. He was also part of the 1st place team at the First There, First Care ALS competition for two consecutive years.
Beyond his professional achievements, he takes the most pride in balancing two careers while being a devoted husband and father of three. He also has a talent for cooking, a skill discovered by his Captain during his probationary year—thanks to his time working in an Italian restaurant before firefighting.
Seth Allison
Firefighter Paramedic - Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue
Firefighter Paramedic Allison may be one of our newest lead instructors, but he brings a fierce enthusiasm for mentoring the next generation of EMS professionals. He began his career with North Lauderdale Fire Rescue before joining Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue in 2008. Holding an Associate of Science degree in Emergency Medical Services, FF/PM Allison has a particular passion for teaching trauma-related topics. When he’s not leading lessons in the classroom, lab, or during clinical rotations, you’ll likely find him chasing the perfect wave at the beach.
Sierra Leon-Jarjoura 
Firefighter/Paramedic - Margate Fire Department
Firefighter/Paramedic Leon-Jarjoura proudly serves with the Margate Fire Department and has been teaching since 2019. A passionate educator, her favorite subjects to teach include pediatrics and ALS competition scenarios, where she brings energy, precision, and a strong clinical focus to every training session.
As the first female firefighter in her family, Sierra is paving the way with both skill and determination. She is also a proud member of the Margate Fire Department Advanced Life Support (ALS) Team, which is currently ranked second in the state of Florida, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in prehospital emergency care.
Patrick Ciacciarelli
Battalion Chief - Sunrise Fire Rescue
Battalion Chief Ciacciarelli of the Sunrise Fire Department has been a dedicated instructor since 2013, known for his passion and expertise in all aspects of fireground operations. Whether in the classroom or on the training grounds, he lives and breathes fire skills, bringing intensity, precision, and high standards to every session.
He currently serves as the Special Operations Coordinator for the City of Sunrise. In addition to his operational role, Chief Ciacciarelli is one of CSRIPS’s Burn Masters, where he plays a key role in delivering safe, realistic live-fire training to future firefighters.
Alfred Rifflard 
Captain - Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Captain Rifflard is a seasoned fire service professional with over 20 years of dedicated service at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and more than 11 years of instructional experience at CSRIPS. He is widely respected for his deep knowledge, particularly in live fire training, his favorite area of instruction; He also serves as one of the Academy's Burn Masters.
In addition to his work at CSRIPS, Captain Rifflard plays an active role in advanced firefighter training through the Fort Lauderdale Fire Expo, further extending his impact on fire service education. His leadership, professionalism, and commitment to excellence earned him the honor of being named 2024 Instructor of the Year.
Christian Chaves
Hollywood Fire Rescue
Bio coming soon!
David Schneider
Captain - Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department
Captain Schneider brings nearly four decades of dedicated service to the fire and EMS community. A certified Firefighter/Paramedic for 39 years, he began his career with the Margate Fire Department before joining the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department in 1996. Over the past 28 years, he has also served as a respected instructor, with a passion for teaching patient assessment, where he focuses on critical thinking and clinical excellence in the field.
Captain Schneider is a certified flight medic and has received multiple life-saving commendations throughout his career. In addition to his operational roles, he is deeply committed to firefighter mental health, serving on the Broward County Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team and currently acting as the Peer Support Coordinator for CSPFD.
Beyond the job, Captain Schneider is a Harley-Davidson enthusiast and enjoys live music, bringing the same energy and camaraderie to his personal life that he does to the fire service.
Wilson Leger
Lieutenant - Pompano Beach Fire Rescue
Bio coming soon!
Mark Myers
Lieutenant - Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department
Lt. Mark Myers is a dedicated fire instructor with over 12 years of teaching experience, committed to developing skilled, confident firefighters. He has a strong passion for hands-on instruction, with particular emphasis on Live Fire training, Vehicle Extrication, and Ladder Operations, where he focuses on safety, realism, and practical application. In addition to his instructional role, Lt. Myers proudly serves as a member of Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2 (FL-TF2), bringing specialized technical rescue experience and real-world operational insight into the classroom. His combination of field experience and instructional expertise makes him a highly respected and engaging educator in the fire service community.
Kyle Edwards
Captain - Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Captain Edwards is a dedicated fire service instructor with 8 years of teaching experience, beginning with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Recruit Academy before joining the instructional staff at CSRIPS. An alumnus of the Coral Springs Fire Academy, Class 03-06, Captain Edwards brings a full-circle perspective to his teaching—combining firsthand experience as a student with years of professional service.
He is especially passionate about fire suppression. Beyond the classroom, Captain Edwards is an active member of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue dive team, bringing specialized knowledge and operational expertise to both land and water-based emergency response.
David Harwell
Captain - Pompano Beach Fire Rescue
Captain Harwell has dedicated over 7 years to instructing at CSRIPS, where he brings a deep commitment to training the next generation of firefighters. An alumnus of Firefighter Class 09-03, he has returned to the program that helped shape his own career. His favorite subjects to teach are forcible entry and search techniques, where he emphasizes precision, safety, and real-world application. As a second-generation Pompano Beach Firefighter, Captain Harwell carries on a proud family tradition of service, combining legacy with leadership in every aspect of his work. He serves the Firefighter I&II program as a Co-Lead Instructor.
Gregory Mulford
Firefighter EMT - Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue
Bio coming soon!
Brandon Sharp
Firefighter Paramedic - Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Bio coming soon!
Jonathon Troublefield
Driver Operator - Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Driver Operator Troublefield has been an active instructor for over 8 years, bringing both experience and passion to the classroom and training grounds. As a Co-Lead Instructor for Firefighter I&II, his favorite topic to teach is nozzle application—a critical skill he emphasizes through hands-on, scenario-based training. Whether guiding new recruits or mentoring seasoned firefighters, he is dedicated to building confidence and competence in every student. When he's not teaching or on duty, he enjoys spending quality time at home with his family.
Sean Mccabe
Lieutenant - Greenacres Fire Rescue Department
Bio coming soon!
Kerlew Levasseur
Firefighter Paramedic - Pompano Beach Fire Rescue
Bio coming soon!