Background: Assistant chief, Amissville Volunteer Fire and Rescue (AVFR); part-time EMT medic, Rappahannock advanced life support program; longtime president and coach, Rappahannock Athletic Association/Rappahannock Culpeper Baseball (RAA/RCB), Amissville; former deputy sheriff, Rappahannock County; retired captain, Warren County Fire and Rescue Services; born and raised in Amissville where he lives with his wife, Dana, and stepson, Luke.
The Spark: My father, Clarence “Boosie” Dodson, was a real doer. Whether it was working his full time job at VDOT, his part-time roofing business or his volunteer activities, he always made time for family activities. As a kid I remember him as headmaster of our local Boy Scout troop and later establishing the RAA/RCB baseball league. His work ethic and leadership qualities had a huge influence on me. He, John Early, Bobby Carter and a few others got the kid’s Little League going in 1978. I joined the governing board in the 1990s and followed in my dad’s footsteps serving as president since 2009.
Proudest Achievement: When I joined as a volunteer with AVFR at age 16, I had a strong interest in becoming a career fireman. I got my training at AVFR, as both a firefighter and an EMT and earned a college degree in fire science. In 1997, I was hired by Warren County Fire and Rescue Services where I worked in various positions over my 25-year career there. I eventually progressed to the rank of captain, a position at the time just below the fire chief, which was the capstone of my professional career. Of course managing the baseball league, coaching and still staying involved at the public schools are all ongoing activities I’m proud to be involved in.
Wayne Dodson (Photo/Bob Hurley)
Biggest Challenge: My dad passed away at the young age of 52. I was older, 26 at the time, but it was very difficult. We were very close and I deeply respected and admired him. I often think of how great it would have been for my son, Aaron, to have had him there as a grandfather whom he could learn from, and had the experiences I did. Learning from my father’s personal qualities and character, I’ve shown my son the importance of hard work, helping others in the community and having strong moral values. This is a way for the memory of my father to live on, and I hope my son will be able to pass on those values.
Why It Matters: Running fire and rescue calls, running the baseball league and helping young kids and teens develop friendships and leadership skills, these are things that make a difference in people’s lives. Working with others to make the organizations I am associated with successful gives me a strong sense of satisfaction. As volunteers we aren’t getting paid, but just helping people is personally rewarding and the good feeling it brings goes way beyond receiving any monetary value.
Favorite Rappahannock Treasure: The people. This is a very close-knit community and the people here are very supportive of each other. Over the past 10 years there have been a lot of new residents in the county, and although some things are changing, I find on the whole everybody is very friendly. Our school system and the various volunteer organizations around the county all help bring people from many backgrounds together and that helps keep Rappahannock the special place it is.
