So… Who am I, exactly?

So… Just who is Dodge, anyway?

Yes, you read that right. My name is Dodge. No, it’s not a nickname. That is the name I was born with. Now, in deference to my greatness, please make no references to Dodge trucks, Dodge Kansas or “Getting the hell out of Dodge”.

I am a Law Enforcement ranger in America’s National Parks. When I’m not doing that, I am a firefighter with an emphasis on wildland, forest and brush fires. I am also a paramedic, and work on an ambulance and on a helicopter as a flight medic.

Two years ago, almost three now, I was burned badly during a wildland fire gone wrong. I won’t go into what happened that day, it’s just too painful, but I will say that I was burned with 4th and 5th degree burns, (yes, there are such things), over about 85% of my body. At first, my doctors said my burns were 3rd degree. They then revised that to 4th and 5th degree because my organs and bones were burned. Can anyone say crispy?

I have to have a sense of humor about all this, because if I didn’t, I’d be suicidal… So, I do. That’s that.

I am in my early 30’s, in a long-term relationship, (yeah, I’m gay, so what’s it to ya?), and likely to stay that way for quite a while. I am sensitive, compassionate, in tune with nature, serious yet possessing an often dark sense of humor that people either really love or really hate. I believe in kindness, compassion and treating others the same way you would like to be treated. I believe in dignity in medical care and in people living to their fullest, no matter what disabilities or diseases they have, because everybody’s got one. I believe in guns, because guns don’t kill people, people kill people. I believe in the death penalty, in tougher sentences for criminals, and in mental health testing for our police and corrections officers.

I am a gun owner, a vehicle owner, a dog owner, a horse owner and a boat owner. I am an avid player of video games, especially anything where I can drive fast or shoot bad guys.

I am involved in Search and Rescue with my German Shepherd, Ricco.

Because of my burns and autoimmune diseases doctors believe I acquired in the fire, I am in severe chronic pain, for which I take opioids. You’ll notice I talk about them a lot. They keep me functional, and sane, which is a good thing.

I am Dodge… Uncompromising, aggressive at my work, kind to those I meet, willing to help when I can and hurt when I must, serious about what interests me and about having fun, glad and lucky to be alive, and truly, truly blessed to serve in law enforcement and E.M.S!