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Illinois canine wins top firehouse dog title, cameo 'Chicago Fire' role

We have a winner!Smokey, a Labrador retriever mix who was revived by firefighters after they rescued her from a burning home, has been voted the country’s top firehouse dog.Smokey received more than 68,000 votes from TODAY viewers in the contest, which yielded hundreds of entries nationwide. She was one of three finalists ultimately selected by producers of NBC’s “Chicago Fire." The three p
Top Dog winner
TODAY


We have a winner!

Smokey, a Labrador retriever mix who was revived by firefighters after they rescued her from a burning home, has been voted the country’s top firehouse dog.

Image: Top dog
Today

Smokey received more than 68,000 votes from TODAY viewers in the contest, which yielded hundreds of entries nationwide. She was one of three finalists ultimately selected by producers of NBC’s “Chicago Fire." The three pups paid a visit to TODAY’s plaza with their handlers last week.

Smokey became a fire dog in Jacksonville, Ill., after she was found inside a home engulfed in flames.

"Smokey’s lifeless body was brought out, and with the efforts of fire and police, she was brought back to life," wrote her handler lieutenant Todd Warrick. 

She now helps kids learn how to stop, drop and roll. Her win will secure her a cameo appearance on an upcoming episode of "Chicago Fire."

The other two finalists were: 

Dempsey
Peter Kramer / Today

Dempsey, a mastiff-boxer mix from Indianapolis
Dempsey was badly burned in an intentionally set fire two years ago. He's since undergone nine surgeries to improve his mobility and ease his pain. "Our hopes were to use his battle scars to show kids (adults too) the damage that fire can do if played with or used inappropriately," his handler Eileen Orban wrote in her submission. "Dempsey has definitely fulfilled those goals."

Wilshire
Peter Kramer / Today

Wilshire, a Dalmatian from Los Angeles
Wilshire, a rescue dog adopted by the L.A. firehouse after a family couldn't keep him, performs live fire and life safety demonstrations at schools across the city. Beyond showing proper stop, drop and roll techniques, he teaches kids "about the importance of healthy eating and exercise by lifting a 100 lb. dumbbell and running on a treadmill," his handler Ryan Penrod wrote. 

The contest is now closed.

The official rules and voting rules of the contest are below:

CHICAGO FIRE TOP DOG CONTEST
Voting Rules and Procedures

These Voting Rules and Procedures are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBCU”). Void where prohibited.

Voting (“Voting”) is simple and easy. To vote, tune in to the Today Show (“Today”) on NBC on September 24, 2013 and follow the on-air instructions. Check your local listings to see when Today airs in your area. Voting will be conducted pursuant to these Voting Rules and Procedures and any such other rules and procedures as NBCU may from time to time designate.

Eligibility: You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to submit your vote (“Vote”). You must be a permanent legal resident of the United States or the District of Columbia. Votes must be cast by the authorized account holder of the email account from which the Vote is made.

Voting Period and Restrictions: Voting is open from September 24, 2013 at 4:30 AM PST until September 30, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST (the “Voting Period”). Voting is currently limited to one (1) vote per person during Voting Period, but NBCU reserves the right to change the limit on the number of Votes, in its sole discretion. Notification regarding any such change will be announced on-air and/or posted on the Website.

How to Vote: To vote, log on to http://today.com/topdog (the “Website”) and view the Voting choices available during the Voting Period. You may submit your Vote during the Voting Period by clicking on the choice that you think deserves to win based on the following judging criteria: 50% Originality, 25% Creativity, and 25% Adherence to the theme. A voting confirmation page will appear confirming your selection.

General Conditions: NBCU has the right, in its sole discretion, to void any Vote that appears, to have been made by a person not meeting the eligibility requirements set forth above, or to be an automated or duplicate Vote, and has the right to permanently disqualify from any Voting any person it believes has violated these rules. If for any reason the Voting is not capable of being run or implemented as planned, including, but not limited to, as the result of infection by computer viruses or bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other cause beyond the control of NBCU, which is likely to, or actually corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Voting, then NBCU reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to withdraw the transmission of any Vote and/or to terminate or suspend the Voting at any point and declare the Voting results based upon the Votes up to that point. In the event of technical difficulties with the Voting, including, but not limited to, mobile or Internet service interruptions, NBCU reserves the right to review the Votes for accuracy and to take any appropriate action, including, without limitation, voiding the Votes cast during the time period in which such technical difficulties occurred. NBCU and its respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, any other entity involved in the development or administration of the Voting, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees and assigns (collectively the “Released Parties”) are not responsible for any computer, network, technical, electronic, human or other errors or problems of any kind, for any injury or damage to participants or to any person’s computer or mobile phone relating to or resulting from Voting or downloading materials or software in connection with the Voting, or for Votes that are stolen, misdirected, garbled, delayed, lost, or late. By participating, each individual agrees to release and hold the Released Parties harmless against any and all claims and liability of any kind arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, out of their participation in the Voting.

Caution: Any attempt by you or any other individual to deliberately damage any online service, mobile phone service, or web site, tamper with the Voting process, or otherwise undermine the legitimate operation of the Voting is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Released Parties reserves the right to seek damages and/or other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Disputes: THESE RULES, AND SUBMISSION OF YOUR VOTE, ARE GOVERNED BY, AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND THE FORUM AND VENUE FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK. IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY JUDICIAL ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION SERVICES, INC., IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“JAMS RULES”). THE JAMS RULES FOR SELECTION OF AN ARBITRATOR SHALL BE FOLLOWED, EXCEPT THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE EXPERIENCED AND LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN NEW YORK. ALL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK. THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES OR OTHER SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.

Chicago Fire Top Dog Contest
Official Rules
August 14, 2013— September 8, 2013

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION: No purchase necessary. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Void where prohibited. The Chicago Fire Top Dog Contest (“Contest”) will begin on August 14, 2013 at 9:00 AM PT and end on September 8, 2013 at 11:59 PM PT (“Contest Period”). All times in the Contest refer to Pacific Time (“PT”). Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible Entries (defined below) received. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

ELIGIBILITY: Open only to permanent, legal United States (“U.S.”) residents who are physically residing in one (1) of the forty eight (48) continental United States or the District of Columbia (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and other United States territories), and who are eighteen (18) years of age or older, and who are affiliated with a U.S. firehouse in their state of residence as of the start of the Contest Period. This Contest is not open to the general public and is open only to those affiliated with a U.S. firehouse in one (1) of the forty eight (48) continental U.S. states or the District of Columbia. Any decisions by Sponsors as to the eligibility of entrants, Finalists, and Grand Prize Winner (defined below) are final and binding. Officers, directors, and employees of Contest Entities (as defined below), members of these persons’ immediate families (spouses and/or parents, children, and siblings, and their spouses, regardless of where they reside), and/or persons living in the same households as these persons (whether or not related thereto) are not eligible to enter or win the Contest. Contest Entities, as referenced herein, shall include Universal Television, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, and NBCUniversal Media, LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, (collectively, “Sponsors”), NBC Entertainment, NBC News, both located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, and Wolf Films, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, and their respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliate companies, and administrative, advertising, and promotion agencies, and any other entity involved in the development, administration, promotion, or implementation of the Contest. Firehouse Dog (defined below) nominated in the Entry must be a healthy dog that is not easily startled by cameras, groups of people, and travel and must be eligible and able to travel in accordance with FAA, TSA, and airline regulations, state laws and restrictions, and any other applicable regulations. Firehouse Dog’s Owner must meet all eligibility requirements for entrants as stated above and outlined throughout these Official Rules. Entrants are not eligible to receive the Finalist Prize (defined below) or the Grand Prize (defined below), unless they are the Owner of the Firehouse Dog that is nominated in the Entry (defined below) selected by relevant Judges (as described below). Finalist Prizes and Grand Prize will only be awarded to the Owners of the Firehouse Dogs that are nominated in the Entries selected by relevant Judges and to the Firehouse Dog’s Owner. Prior to submitting an Entry, you must obtain permission from the Owner of the Firehouse Dog.

HOW TO ENTER: During the Contest Period, send an email with your first name, last name, date of birth, complete address, city, state, zip code, home phone number (including area code), e-mail address, firehouse number, firehouse phone number (non-emergency); and the following information for the Owner of the Firehouse Dog (defined below): first name, last name, city, and state with “Chicago Fire Top Dog Contest” in the subject line to: ChicagoFire.TopDog@nbcuni.com (“Entry”). Entries must be received during the Contest Period to be eligible.

As part of the Entry, you will also be required to submit a photo (“Photo”) on the following theme: your firehouse dog (“Firehouse Dog”). You must submit Photo in .jpeg format 300 dpi as an attachment to your Entry. Photo must have been taken by you and you must have permission from any person identified in Photo and from the Firehouse Dog’s Owner. Photo must be true and verifiable. Professional Photos and Photos with watermarks are not eligible.

As part of the Entry, you will also be required to submit a statement of two hundred (200) words or less (“Essay”) on the following theme: the importance of your Firehouse Dog to the firehouse and the community and why your Firehouse Dog should be chosen as “Chicago Fire Top Dog”. You must submit Essay as a .doc or .docx attachment to the Entry. Essay must be original (that is written by you), true and verifiable and submitted in the English language. You must have the permission of any person that you identify or otherwise refer to in your Essay, including the Firehouse Dog’s Owner.

You must have the permission of Firehouse Dog’s Owner to nominate Firehouse Dog to enter and be eligible for the Contest. Firehouse Dog nominated in the Entry must be a healthy dog that is not easily startled by cameras, groups of people, and travel and must be eligible and able to travel in accordance with FAA, TSA, and airline regulations, state laws and restrictions, and any other applicable regulations. Firehouse Dog’s Owner must meet all eligibility requirements for entrants as stated above and outlined throughout these Official Rules.

Entrants are not eligible to receive the Finalist Prize or Grand Prize, unless they are the Owner of the Firehouse Dog that is nominated in the Entry selected by relevant Judges (as described below).

All Entries become the property of Sponsors, and will not be acknowledged or returned. You must submit the Photo and Essay (collectively referred to herein as the “Submissions”) as part of your Entry to enter and be eligible for the Contest. By entering the Contest, entrants grant Sponsors the non-exclusive, royalty-free, and irrevocable rights to use, reproduce, copy, publish, display, distribute, perform, translate, adapt, modify, and otherwise exploit the Submissions and to incorporate the Submissions in other works in any and all markets and media worldwide in perpetuity without compensation, notification, permission, or approval. Entrants warrant that they have the sole and exclusive right to grant such rights to Sponsors and that the Sponsors' reproduction, publishing, displaying, and/or other use of the Submissions will not infringe on any rights of third parties, including, without limitation, copyright, trademark, privacy, or publicity, or create claims for defamation, false light, idea misappropriation, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, or breach of contract. If any Submissions contain material that is violent, pornographic, obscene, illegal, inappropriate, or racially or morally offensive or if any Submissions do not comply with these Official Rules or meet Sponsors’ standards for any reason, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, such Submissions (and the related Entries) may be rejected as ineligible for consideration. Entries must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Sponsors shall have no obligation to copy, publish, display, or otherwise exploit the Submissions.

Limit one (1) Entry per person/email address during the Contest Period; each Firehouse Dog may not be nominated more than once. Multiple Entries received from any person or email address beyond this limit will void all such additional entries. Entries must be received before September 8, 2013 at 11:59 PM PT to be eligible for the Contest. Sponsors’ computer shall be the official timekeeper for all matters related to this Contest. Entries generated by a script, macro, or other automated means will be disqualified. Entries that are incomplete, garbled, corrupted, or unintelligible for any reason, including, but not limited to, computer or network malfunction or congestion, are void and will not be accepted. In case of a dispute over the identity of an entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address used to enter will be deemed to be the entrant. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. Entry constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use entrant’s name, city, state, likeness, image, and/or voice for purposes of advertising, promotion, and publicity in any and all media now or hereafter known, throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification, permission, or approval.

PRIVACY: Entry information will be collected subject to Sponsors’ privacy policy located at http://www.nbcuni.com/privacy/.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF FINALISTS AND GRAND PRIZE WINNER: There will be two (2) rounds of judging: Round 1: initial judging to determine the Finalists and Round 2: public voting to determine Grand Prize Winner.

Round 1: Initial Judging for the First Round Finalists: On or about September 16, 2013, one (1) or more qualified judges selected by Sponsors (“Judges”) will review all eligible Entries received during the Contest Period and select up to three (3) Firehouse Dog finalists (each a “Finalist”) based on the following judging criteria (“Judging Criteria”): 50% Originality, 25% Creativity, and 25% Adherence to the theme. Each Finalist will advance to Round 2: Public Voting for Grand Prize Winner (described below), subject to verification of eligibility. The selection and review process may occur on a rolling basis as Entries are received. In the event of a tie, the Initial Judges will break the tie by selecting the tied Entry that received the highest points from the Initial Judges for Originality to advance to Round 2: Public Voting. In the event a tie remains, an additional tie-breaking judge will judge the tied Entries, using the Judging Criteria, to determine which of the tied Entries will advance to Round 2: Public Voting. Sponsors reserve the right to pick fewer than three (3) Finalists (or none at all), to extend the Contest Period, or to cancel the Contest if the Contest does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion.

Sponsors and/or their representatives will make two (2) attempts to notify the Finalists’ Owners on or about September 16, 2013, at the phone number and/or email address submitted at the time of Entry. Finalists’ Owners will be required as a condition of continued eligibility to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Waiver of Liability, and, except where prohibited, Publicity Release (collectively, “Finalist Contest Documents”) within two (2) days of such notification. Noncompliance within this time period, with these Official Rules, or the return of or inability to deliver the notification may result in disqualification, and, at Sponsors' discretion, and time permitting, an alternate Finalist may be selected from among all eligible remaining Entries based on the Judging Criteria. Entrants are not eligible to receive the Finalist Prize, unless they are the Owner of the Firehouse Dog that is nominated in the Entry selected by relevant Judges (as described above).

Round 2: Public Voting for Grand Prize Winner: On September 24, 2013, the Finalists will have an opportunity to make an appearance on The Today Show (“TODAY”), and the Submissions will be posted on www.today.com (the “Website”) in a randomized manner for public viewing and voting. On September 24, 2013, at 4:00 AM PT until September 30, 2013 at 12:00 PM PT, or on such other dates and at such other times as determined by the Sponsors in their sole discretion (the “Voting Period”), visitors to the Website may vote for his or her favorite Finalist according to Judging Criteria, voting rules, and procedures established by the Sponsors, which will be posted on the Website. Finalist who receives the most votes during the Voting Period, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, will be the potential grand prize winner (“Grand Prize Winner”), subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules. One (1) of the Firehouse Dogs of the three (3) Finalists will be selected as potential Grand Prize Winner. Entrants are not eligible to receive Grand Prize, unless they are the Owner of the Firehouse Dog that is nominated in the Entry that receives the most votes as determined by Sponsors. In the event of a tie, ties will be broken as described with regards to Finalists. The Voting Period, voting rules and procedures and voting methods are subject to change, at the Sponsors’ sole discretion, and any changes will be posted on the Website. Voting is currently limited to one (1) vote per person/email address during the Voting Period, but Sponsors reserve the right to change the limit on the number of votes, in their sole discretion. Notification regarding any such change will be announced on the Website.

Potential Grand Prize Winner will be announced on TODAY or on the Website on or about October 1, 2013. Sponsors’ representatives will make two (2) attempts to notify Owner of potential Grand Prize Winner at the phone number and/or email address provided by Owner. Grand Prize Winner’s Owner will be required as a condition of continued eligibility to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Waiver of Liability, and, except where prohibited, Publicity Release (collectively, “Grand Prize Winner Contest Documents”) within five (5) days of such notification. Noncompliance within this time period or with these Official Rules or the return of or inability to deliver the notification may result in disqualification, and, at Sponsors' discretion, and time permitting, Sponsors will award the Grand Prize (defined below) to the Owner of the runner-up Finalist (as determined by Sponsors).

PRIZE: There will be three (3) prizes awarded (each a “Finalist Prize”), with one (1) Finalist Prize to the owner (“Owner”) of each Finalist. Each Finalist Prize will consist of the following: an opportunity for Finalist and Finalist’s Owner to appear on TODAY scheduled to air on September 24, 2013, along with actors or representatives of the television series Chicago Fire (“Appearance”). Finalist Prize includes roundtrip coach airfare to New York, New York for Finalist and Finalist’s Owner and one (1) night hotel accommodations (single room; subject to availability and the sole discretion of Sponsors) for Finalist and Finalist’s Owner (the “Finalist Trip”). Finalists and Finalists’ Owners must be able to participate in the Appearance on September 24, 2013 and travel September 23, 2013 through September 24, 2013 (or on such other dates designated by Sponsors) or will be disqualified from the Contest. Estimated Retail Value (“ERV”) of each Finalist Prize is two thousand four hundred dollars ($2400). Total ERV of all Finalist Prizes is seven thousand two hundred dollars ($7200). Actual Retail Value (“ARV”) of Finalist Prizes may vary.

There will be one (1) grand prize awarded to Owner of Grand Prize Winner (“Grand Prize”). Grand Prize consists of the following: an opportunity for Grand Prize Winner only to participate in one (1) cameo appearance (“Cameo Appearance”) in an episode of Season 2 of Chicago Fire scheduled to be filmed between October 7, 2013 to May 31, 2014. Grand Prize includes roundtrip coach airfare to Chicago, Illinois for Grand Prize Winner and Owner; and one (1) night hotel accommodations (single room; subject to availability and the sole discretion of Sponsors) for Grand Prize Winner and Owner (the “Grand Prize Trip”). Grand Prize Winner and Owner must be able to film the Cameo Appearance on the scheduled date of filming between October 7, 2013 to May 31, 2014 and must be able to travel October 7, 2013 through May 31, 2014 (or on such other dates designated by Sponsors) or will be disqualified from the Contest. Only Firehouse Dog that was selected as Grand Prize Winner may participate in Cameo Appearance. ERV of Grand Prize is two thousand four hundred dollars ($2400). ARV of Grand Prize may vary.

Finalists and Grand Prize Winner may be collectively referred to hereinafter as “Winner” or “Winners”.

Finalist Prizes and Grand Prize may be collectively referred to hereinafter as “Prize” or “Prizes”.

Finalist Trips and Grand Prize Trip may be collectively referred to hereinafter as “Trip” or “Trips”.

Sponsors will determine all details of Prizes in their sole discretion. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a similar prize (or prize element) of comparable or greater value. All taxes and other expenses, costs, or fees associated with the acceptance and/or use of each Prize are the sole responsibility of each Winner’s Owner. Sponsors will furnish an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 to each Winner’s Owner for ARV of applicable Prize for the tax year in which Grand Prize was won. The difference between the ERV and the ARV will not be awarded. Prizes cannot be transferred by Winner’s Owners or redeemed for cash and is are only for the items detailed above, with no substitution of a Prize by a Winner’s Owner. If a Prize is unclaimed within a reasonable time after notification from Sponsors, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, it will be forfeited, and time permitting, an alternate Winner may be selected from the remaining eligible Entries at Sponsors’ sole discretion.

All details of each Prize will be determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion. Time and/or date of Appearance and filming of Cameo Appearance are subject to change and/or cancellation (subject to Sponsors’ sole discretion). If the Appearance and/or filming of Cameo Appearance is cancelled, the remaining elements of applicable Prize shall be awarded and shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsors’ Prize obligation to Winner’s Owner and no additional compensation will be awarded. The Trip awarded to Winner’s Owner must be taken within dates provided by the Sponsors or applicable Prize will be forfeited. Travel arrangements must be made through Sponsors’ agent, on a carrier of Sponsors’ choice. Certain travel restrictions and black out dates may apply. Sponsors have the right in their sole discretion to substitute ground transportation for air transportation depending on place of residence of Winner’s Owner. Winner and Winner’s Owner must travel together on the same itinerary, including the same departure date, destination and return date, and Winner’s Owner must have valid travel documents (e.g., valid government issued photo ID and/or passport) prior to departure, and failure to do so will result in forfeiture of applicable Prize. Sponsors will not replace any lost or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates. Once travel commences, no unscheduled stopovers are permitted; if an unscheduled stopover occurs, full fare will be charged from stopover point for the remaining segments, including return, of the trip. Sponsors are not liable for any expenses incurred as a consequence of flight cancellation/delay. Trip may not be combined with any other offer and travel may not qualify for frequent flyer miles. All travel and lodging will be at the risk of Winner’s Owner. Winner’s Owner is solely responsible for all expenses and costs associated with acceptance and/or use of Prize not specifically stated herein as being awarded, including, without limitation any and all taxes and other expenses, costs, or fees associated with the acceptance and/or use of Prize, travel insurance, ground transportation (other than as described above), security and airport fees, taxes, insurance, gasoline, meals, gratuities, and souvenirs. Sponsors shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make any deductions and withholdings that Sponsors deem necessary or desirable under applicable federal, state and local tax laws, rules, regulations, codes or ordinances. Prize cannot be transferred or substituted by Winner’s Owner or redeemed for cash and is valid only for the items detailed above, with no substitution of Prize by Winner. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a similar Prize (or Prize element) of comparable or greater value. If Prize is unclaimed within a reasonable time after notification from Sponsors, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, it will be forfeited, and time permitting, an alternate Winner may be selected from the remaining eligible entries at Sponsors’ sole discretion.

The location and all details of the Appearance and Cameo Appearance will be determined by the producers (“Producers”) of TODAY and Chicago Fire, respectively, and Sponsors in their sole and exclusive discretion. Appearance and Cameo Appearance will be subject to availability and production exigencies. If chosen for the Cameo Appearance, Grand Prize Winner and Grand Prize Winner’s Owner must be available during Chicago Fire’s production schedule, specifically, on the date(s) selected by Producers and Sponsors at their sole discretion. Grand Prize Winner’s Owner must sign and agree to all the terms and conditions of Producer’s “Cameo Appearance” Agreement and/or other agreements from Sponsors pertaining to the Cameo Appearance before traveling to the set and follow all instructions given by the Producers and Sponsors. In the event that the Appearance does not or cannot take place as scheduled or at all, for any reason including but not limited to scheduling conflicts, cancellations, postponement, an event of force majeure, or for any other reason, then the remaining components, if any, of the Finalist Prize shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsors’ Finalist Prize obligation to Finalists’ Owners, and no other or additional compensation will be awarded. In the event that the filming of the Cameo Appearance does not or cannot take place as scheduled or at all, for any reason including but not limited to scheduling conflicts, cancellations, postponement, an event of force majeure, or for any other reason, then the remaining components, if any, of the Grand Prize shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsors’ Grand Prize obligation to Grand Prize Winner’s Owner, and no other or additional compensation will be awarded.

RECORDING: Sponsors, in their sole discretion, may choose to record and/or broadcast the Appearance of Finalists and Owners on TODAY and/or Cameo Appearance on Chicago Fire. If Sponsors, in their sole discretion, elect to incorporate any such audio and/or video recording (the “Recordings”) into TODAY or Chicago Fire, the taping and/or the Recordings will not be considered an employment opportunity, and Finalists, Grand Prize Winner, and their Owners will not be entitled to compensation or credit thereof. Sponsors will determine the nature of the Recordings in their sole discretion. If the Recordings are broadcast, such broadcast will be at a time, for a length of time, and on a date determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion. Owners may be required to return completed and signed appearance releases, confidentiality agreements and such other documents as may be required by Sponsors prior to Appearance on TODAY and Cameo Appearance on Chicago Fire and participation in the Segment or Rehearsal, if any. Failure of Owners to complete and execute these documents in a timely manner, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, may cause Appearance and/or Cameo Appearance portion of Prize to be forfeited. The content of the Recordings as, and if, finally exhibited and the number of exhibits and re-airs thereof, if any, will be determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion. Owners will not have a right of review, notice, or approval of the content of the Recordings or any exhibition or exploitation thereof. Sponsors have the right, in their sole discretion, to disqualify Finalists, cause Finalist Prizes to be forfeited, and remove Finalists and Owners from TODAY and to disqualify Grand Prize Winner, cause Grand Prize to be forfeited, and remove Grand Prize Winner and Owner from Chicago Fire at any time, if any behavior of Finalists, Grand Prize Winner, and/or their Owners is deemed by Sponsors to be disruptive or if it may or does cause damage to person, property, or reputation of Sponsors or if it otherwise violates the policies of Sponsors, or if Finalists, Grand Prize Winner and/or Owners do not follow the directions of Sponsors at all times. These Official Rules and the Contest itself are neither a contract nor an application for employment.

CONDITIONS: By entering the Contest, each entrant agrees for entrant and for entrant’s heirs, executors, and administrators (a) to release and hold harmless Contest Entities and their respective officers, directors, and employees (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from such entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of Prize or any portion thereof (including any travel related thereto); (b) to indemnify Released Parties from any and all liability resulting or arising from the Contest and to hereby acknowledge that Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to Prize, including express warranties provided exclusively by Prize supplier that are sent along with Prize; (c) if selected as a Winner, to the posting of such entrant’s name on Website and the use by Released Parties of such name, voice, image, and/or likeness for publicity, promotional, and advertising purposes in any and all media now or hereafter known, throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification, permission, or approval, and, upon request, to the giving of consent, in writing, to such use; and (d) to be bound by these Official Rules and to waive any right to claim any ambiguity or error therein or in the Contest itself, and to be bound by all decisions of the Sponsors, which are binding and final. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in disqualification from the Contest at Sponsors’ sole discretion.

ADDITIONAL TERMS: Sponsors reserve the right to permanently disqualify from any promotion any person they believe has intentionally violated these Official Rules. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Contest or the operation thereof is unlawful and subject to legal action by Sponsors, who may seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. The failure of Sponsors to comply with any provision of these Official Rules due to an act of God, hurricane, war, fire, riot, earthquake, terrorism, act of public enemies, actions of governmental authorities outside of the control of Sponsors (excepting compliance with applicable codes and regulations), or other “force majeure” event will not be considered a breach of these Official Rules. Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from entering or downloading materials or software in connection with the Contest. Released Parties are not responsible for telecommunications, network, electronic, technical, or computer failures of any kind; for inaccurate transcription of entry information; for errors in any promotional or marketing materials or in these Official Rules; for any human or electronic error; or for entries that are stolen, misdirected, garbled, delayed, lost, late, damaged, or returned. Sponsors reserve the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the Contest or any element thereof (including, without limitation, these Official Rules) without notice in any manner and for any reason (including, without limitation, in the event of any unanticipated occurrence that is not fully addressed in these Official Rules). In the event of cancellation, modification, or suspension, Sponsors reserve the right to select Winners from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to the time of the event warranting such cancellation, modification, or suspension based on the Judging Criteria above. Notice of such cancellation, modification, or suspension will be posted at Website. Sponsors may prohibit any entrant or potential entrant from participating in the Contest, if such entrant or potential entrant shows a disregard for these Official Rules; acts with an intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other entrant, Sponsors, or Sponsors’ agents or representatives; or behaves in any other disruptive manner (as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion). Sponsors reserve the right to modify these Official Rules for clarification purposes without materially affecting the terms and conditions of the Contest.

DISPUTES: THE CONTEST IS GOVERNED BY, AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND THE FORUM AND VENUE FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK. IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY JUDICIAL ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION SERVICES, INC., IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“JAMS RULES”). THE JAMS RULES FOR SELECTION OF AN ARBITRATOR SHALL BE FOLLOWED, EXCEPT THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE EXPERIENCED AND LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN NEW YORK. ALL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK. THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES OR OTHER SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT: For the names of the Winners, available after October 1, 2013, visit www.today.com , or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by December 1, 2013, to: Chicago Fire Top Dog Contest, 100 Universal City Plaza, Building 1360, 3rd Floor, Universal City, CA 91608, Attn: Yong Kim.

This post was updated Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET.