Two Englishmen Volunteer as Firefighters in Wyoming County

The unexpected path that led two UK students to join a local fire department in Pennsylvania

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:37am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a firefighter's helmet and gear in soft pools of warm, golden light, conceptually representing the unexpected journey of two international students who discovered a passion for community service.The chance to volunteer as firefighters during their time as international students left a lasting impact on two Englishmen, who returned years later to reconnect with their former fire department.Factoryville Today

In 2007, while pursuing degrees at Keystone College in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, Alex Boirand and Jamie Ellis from England decided to volunteer as firefighters with the local Factoryville Fire Company. Nearly two decades later, the two men returned to their old fire station to reconnect with the department and see how it has grown.

Why it matters

The story highlights how volunteer fire departments can attract members from unexpected backgrounds and how an overseas education can lead to lifelong passions. It also showcases the tight-knit community of Factoryville and the lasting impact the fire department has had on the lives of these two Englishmen.

The details

Boirand and Ellis, who were in the US to play soccer and study at Keystone College, became curious about the volunteer fire department in Factoryville. After inquiring, they were welcomed to join the department, kickstarting a journey that would shape the rest of their lives. Boirand went on to become a full-time firefighter in England, while Ellis became a US citizen and now lives in York County.

  • In 2007, Boirand and Ellis volunteered as firefighters in Factoryville while attending Keystone College.
  • Nearly two decades later, in 2026, the two men returned to Factoryville to visit their old fire station.

The players

Alex Boirand

A former volunteer firefighter with the Factoryville Fire Company who is now a full-time firefighter in England.

Jamie Ellis

A former volunteer firefighter with the Factoryville Fire Company who became a US citizen and now lives in York County, Pennsylvania.

Factoryville Fire Company

The volunteer fire department in Factoryville, Pennsylvania that welcomed Boirand and Ellis as firefighters during their time as students at Keystone College.

Keystone College

The college in Factoryville, Pennsylvania where Boirand and Ellis were students when they became volunteer firefighters.

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What they’re saying

“We just said, 'Oh, so how's the fire service work here?' Then, he said, ' Oh, it's all volunteer.' We were like, could we volunteer? And he was like, yeah. And so we did.”

— Alex Boirand, Former Factoryville Volunteer Fire Fighter

“It was something I always wanted to do when I was younger is be a fireman when we before we came over here. So coming to college and then having seen it, we had an opportunity to do it here.”

— Jamie Ellis, Former Factoryville Volunteer Fire Fighter

“It makes us feel proud, well, it makes me feel proud like coming back here, seeing, you know, the new station, it's how much it's grown, the engines, the kit they've got here, it's, it's phenomenal. It was never in my path of what I thought I was going to do, becoming a firefighter, and it was joining here that I realized this is something that I, I love to do, being able to help people.”

— Alex Boirand, Former Factoryville Volunteer Fire Fighter

What’s next

Boirand and Ellis plan to stay in touch with their former fire department and may return again in the future to reconnect with the Factoryville community.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how an overseas education can unexpectedly lead to lifelong passions and community service. The Factoryville Fire Company's ability to welcome volunteers from diverse backgrounds has had a lasting impact on the lives of Boirand and Ellis, who have gone on to careers in firefighting.