ST. JOHN | The newest member of the St. John Fire Department won't work for peanuts -- but maybe for kibble.

At Thursday's Town Council meeting, President Michael Fryzel cradled a 9-week-old purebred Dalmatian in his arms and presented the dog to Fire Chief Fred Willman.

The pup, named Jake after the town's first fire chief, will serve as the Fire Department's mascot.

Fryzel, who bought Jake with his own money, had the idea to get a Dalmatian for the department about a year ago, when construction began on the town's new 40,000-square-foot public safety facility. He thought it would be a nice gesture.

Jake will call the public safety facility home and will be a pet to more than 40 firefighters.

"It makes it more like a home when you have a pet there to take care of," Willman said.

The department never had an animal or fire station mascot, but firefighters been asked plenty of times, especially by children on tours.

"They'd come to the fire station and ask, 'Where's the dog?'" Willman said.

Council Vice President Jerri Teibel said she saw an instant connection between Jake and Willman the first time they met.

Jake was a little shy at first, but when Willman walked up, Jake rolled over on his back and wanted his belly scratched, Teibel said.

"They bonded, just like that," she said.

Dalmatians became associated with fire departments because the breed gets along well with horses. The first fire wagons were horse drawn. On the way to a fire, Dalmatians would clear the path for the horses, according to the Dalmatian Club of America.

Although he won't be guiding the way for any horses, Jake already is dressing the part of firehouse dog, with a red collar around his spotted neck.

Jake, who cost $700, was born in southern Illinois. The puppy already is a hit among town employees.

"Everyone is elated about the dog," Fryzel said.