Former D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer, known for years as “PIO Pete” for his quick and professional response to reporters’ questions, is settling into a new job. What are you doing now? I am currently the Director of Communications in the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Secretary Cynthia Brock-Smith. This is within the Executive Office of the Mayor. I have an office on the 4th floor at the Wilson Building.

How is it different than the public information work? The work differences are night and day. Although I am dealing with a different kind of public information, I spend most of my time now in the office, and while the work is exciting and a great opportunity, the crisis management, 24 hour on-call experience does not exist with this position.