To finally dispel the myths, rumors and falsehoods regarding the Fire Service Ice Cream Rule (AKA Steaks, Cigars, etc) I offer the following definitive ruling on the matter:
1. Purpose
To establish when a Member of a Company owes Ice Cream to the other members of said company.
2. Scope
This rule applies to all Fire Service personnel, both paid, paid call and volunteer regardless of rank, station or assignment.
3. Definitions
Company - A unit or similar single resource. This can be defined as an Engine Company, Station House or Volunteer Post.
Member - Any person in official capacity at the time of the incident in question.
Ice Cream - While an abomination in the eyes of the Lord your God, something with a crap load of ingredients.
4. Enough with the bullet points! Onto the rule!
Ice Cream is owed only if a member of a company is portrayed in the media, be it television, print, online or otherwise (social media not affiliated with a media outlet excluded (see rule 8)) portrays the member in activities not associated with the assignment they are recorded at. Being filmed fighting fire, cutting a car, rendering aid or performing regular assigned tasks on the scene of an emergency response DOES NOT entitle the members of the company to ice cream from the member involved. Also, for rules on double parenthesis, see rule 9.
5. Who gets Ice Cream
Only other Members of the offending Member's Company are required to be appeased with the cold Ice Cream goodness. Depending on Agency or Department, this may include all units assigned to a house or all shifts on that unit. It DOES NOT apply to other Companies, units, houses or personnel who wander in to mention being "owed" Ice Cream.
6. Who doesn't get Ice Cream
Officers above the rank of front line supervisor (Lieutenant/Captain/Sergeant) unless they were at the scene and may have to answer to the activities of the member caught not performing duties relevant to the scene in question. All other houses, members and companies not assigned to the offending Member's HOME Company.
7. Oh yeah, that reminds me, HOME Company
Ice Cream is only owed to a Member's HOME Company, not the Company where they were assigned when said incident took place.
8. Social Media not involving media outlet
That doesn't get Ice Cream but instead a pat on the head for the person trying, because that wreaks of desperation.
9. Multiple Parenthesis
Nah, looks weird...or like math, which is WAY worse.
Official Fire Service Ice Cream Rule:
1. Purpose
To establish when a Member of a Company owes Ice Cream to the other members of said company.
2. Scope
This rule applies to all Fire Service personnel, both paid, paid call and volunteer regardless of rank, station or assignment.
3. Definitions
Company - A unit or similar single resource. This can be defined as an Engine Company, Station House or Volunteer Post.
Member - Any person in official capacity at the time of the incident in question.
Ice Cream - While an abomination in the eyes of the Lord your God, something with a crap load of ingredients.
4. Enough with the bullet points! Onto the rule!
Ice Cream is owed only if a member of a company is portrayed in the media, be it television, print, online or otherwise (social media not affiliated with a media outlet excluded (see rule 8)) portrays the member in activities not associated with the assignment they are recorded at. Being filmed fighting fire, cutting a car, rendering aid or performing regular assigned tasks on the scene of an emergency response DOES NOT entitle the members of the company to ice cream from the member involved. Also, for rules on double parenthesis, see rule 9.
5. Who gets Ice Cream
Only other Members of the offending Member's Company are required to be appeased with the cold Ice Cream goodness. Depending on Agency or Department, this may include all units assigned to a house or all shifts on that unit. It DOES NOT apply to other Companies, units, houses or personnel who wander in to mention being "owed" Ice Cream.
6. Who doesn't get Ice Cream
Officers above the rank of front line supervisor (Lieutenant/Captain/Sergeant) unless they were at the scene and may have to answer to the activities of the member caught not performing duties relevant to the scene in question. All other houses, members and companies not assigned to the offending Member's HOME Company.
7. Oh yeah, that reminds me, HOME Company
Ice Cream is only owed to a Member's HOME Company, not the Company where they were assigned when said incident took place.
8. Social Media not involving media outlet
That doesn't get Ice Cream but instead a pat on the head for the person trying, because that wreaks of desperation.
9. Multiple Parenthesis
Nah, looks weird...or like math, which is WAY worse.
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