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California Fire
Exploring Scholarship |
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OUR HISTORY
In 1986, a young Orange County teenager named Armond Minogue passionately wanted to be a Professional Firefighter after high school. Eventually he joined the local fire exploring program (which is co-sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America) in the South Orange County, California area to pursue his dream. Some time afterwards, Explorer Scout Armond Minogue was suddenly killed in an automobile accident near his home in Mission Viejo. Armond was an enthusiastic member of Post 9631 and Fire Captain Mike Van Bibber of the Orange County Fire Department (now Authority) served as his mentor and "Explorer Post Adviser".
Recognizing Minogue's dedication to the profession, Van Bibber collected donations and established the "Armond Minogue Scholarship". Fire Explorers with in the OCFD would submit essays competing for the annual award providing financial assistance to attend any academy or education endeavor. In 1991, Captain Van Bibber retired from the OCFD and recently passed away in May of 2009. For reasons unknown, the annual scholarship process was not continued and we lost track of the past account. Today we remember Mike for his dedication, compassion and support for the youth program allowing numerous young adults to advance as better trained and educated fire service professionals today.
 
HELPING TODAY'S FUTURE FIREFIGHTERS
After noticing no current exploring scholarships available in California and wanting to renew this tradition and honor the dedicated people listed above, 1987 Scholarship winner Brett Boukather founded and established the CALIFORNIA FIRE EXPLORING SCHOLARSHIP. With the assistance of Mechanics Bank Management in Northern California, Boukather and other Volunteers want to continue this effort assisting the state's Explorer Scouts and Cadets with their future education. This program is open to ALL current Fire Explorers in the State of California with at least 6 months of service in their fire department's exploring post. (includes LAFD's Cadet and Huntington Beach and Long Beach Search & Rescue programs)
PLEASE HELP US AND DONATE:
This program is a 100% volunteer effort and any amount would assist us. Donations can be mailed to-
California Fire Exploring Scholarship c/o Mechanics Bank
8235 Laguna Blvd., Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758-7971
Account #041288920
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