Who We Are
Future Fire Leaders is the premiere "go-to" promotional lecture, coaching, and mentoring site for those who are willing to grow as a person and position themselves to compete. We guide you in your journey so that you can thrive in the ranks of lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief. We have been assisting candidates for over 25 years and with more than 3000 people finishing our program, we have survived the test of time. We are now offering our proven program online so that you can mange your pace and train with FFL from anywhere.
Our Team
When choosing Future Fire Leaders services, you learn from fire officers that are honest, personable, knowledgeable, and experienced. You want an instructor that truly cares about you not only during testing but after your promotion and throughout your career.
Our team is solely focused on meeting the needs of our clients. Our staff has a passion for sharing, teaching, and mentoring individuals who aim to be the very best fire service leaders.
Battalion Chief Joseph Novelli
For more than 34 years, Battalion Chief Joseph Novelli has been in the fire service industry. Chief Novelli started as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 16. Over the years, he was able to attain a seasonal position with CAL Fire. He has a bachelor's degree in business management from Saint Mary's College, and an associate degree in fire science.
Chief Novelli has held almost every rank in the industry including firefighter, engineer, paramedic, fire captain, platoon training officer, fire inspector, fire investigator, and shop steward. Now, he is an operations battalion chief and his duties include overseeing three cities comprised of 10 engines, 2 ladder trucks, 1 water rescue, and 1 hazardous material team.
As a college fire instructor for six years, Chief Novelli has assisted many entry-level candidates in reaching their goals in becoming career firefighters. He also served as a rescue specialist for the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force III team.
Giving Back to the Community
Chief Novelli was heavily involved with the Alisa Ann Ruch California Burn Foundation where he sat on the local and statewide executive boards. He is a member of the Nobody Gets Left Behind training group and is one of the co-founders of Deliver1.org, a program committed to partnering up with fire agencies throughout California and making an impact in the lives of people from the homeless community.
Chief Michael Keefe
In 1986, Chief Michael Keefe started his career in the fire service industry. He was able to serve in every rank before retiring after 29 years of service as the Fire Chief for the San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont Fire Departments.
Chief Keefe served as a Rescue Specialist for FEMA Urban Search and Rescue. He was also awarded a Medal of Valor for his contributions during the rescue efforts after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
For 10 years, Chief Keefe has helped hundreds of aspiring students enter the fire service industry as a fire science instructor at the local community college. He holds an associate degree in fire science, a bachelor’s degree in business management, and is the State of California’s Certified Chief Officer.
Giving Back to the Community
Chief Keefe served as a board member of the San Mateo County Fire Chiefs Association. He has been known for his unique participative management style and ability to bring groups together to reach common goals.
Chief Keefe has been a leader in teaching, coaching, and mentoring firefighters in all ranks as they advance in the fire service industry. He continues to stay active in the fire service upon retiring as a leading consultant in the Bay Area. He has served as the Fire Technology Program Coordinator ar American River College and is currently a Senior Public Safety Specialist for a major utility provider.
Future Fire Leaders Staff
Our staff consists of inspiring fire officers who have backgrounds in teaching, mentoring and leadership development. Our staff includes training officers, operational battalion and division chiefs and fire chiefs representing several agencies.
All of our dedicated staff are focused "first and foremost" on creating the very best leaders for the fire service. We know how to get you ready for any promotional rank, not for the test, but for the job.
We believe that if you are ready for the job, you are more than ready for any test.
Adjunct Staff
We have contacts in fire agencies throughout the country and internationally. FFL has the relationships in place which allows us to invite adjunct staff to assist our clients when needed.
We believe in having a "pool" of leaders who can inject different perspectives is useful in helping our members achieve success.
Significant Emergency Responses
Aside from an array of wildland fires throughout the State of California, our team has responded to the following incidents:
