JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The fire specialist Smokey the Dog is collecting accolades while preparing for a spot on an episode of a major television drama.

Friday was "Smokey the Dog Day" — as proclaimed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

The Jacksonville, Ill., fire department dog will appear this season on NBC's "Chicago Fire" after winning a "Top Dog" competition on the "Today" show.

Filming for the program began this week and concludes in May. It's unclear when the 4-year-old Labrador retriever mix will appear.

Smokey works to train Jacksonville children to "stop, drop and roll" — primarily Kindergarteners through 3rd-graders.

Firefighters rescued Smokey as a puppy from a 2009 house fire. Now she lives in a substation.

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Oct. 8, 1871 Great Chicago Fire.

Online: http://www.sfm.illinois.gov