Having been a front line fire fighter since 1996 gives me a unique perspective as a labor communicator. That perspective and background was critical during 2011's fight to repeal Ohio's Senate Bill 5. While working with We Are Ohio on behalf of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, our team was able to use traditional and new media to spread the rally and inform nearly 10,000 union fire fighters and many others in the Buckeye State. 2012 has seen our communications shop grow with our social media outreach and the beginning of an in-house program geared to create advertising and direct mail for our local affiliates. While this program and OAPFF communications continue to grow, our staff, myself included continue to work our shifts at the fire house and protect our communities proudly.