Chicago Fire returns in less than a month for a groundbreaking fourteenth season.
This upcoming season is one for the books as external forces continue to shrink the show’s real estate, leading to numerous departures.
Chicago Fire Season 14 is all about the sweeping changes in the CFD that touch on every corner of the department. Everyone is forced to downsize, and pressure mounts on the remaining first responders.
Meanwhile, everyone is also dealing with personal stuff that is part of life, and this heightens all the changes.
Finally, Firehouse 51 is set to get a boost when a new character, Sal Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente), debuts.
Who is Leaving Chicago Fire In Season 14?
Three characters are set to depart the show sometime in the season.
First up is Michael Bradway’s Damon, who joined at the end of Season 12 and appeared in Season 13. Damon is Severide’s half-brother, who has been seeking a relationship with his older brother.
It’s unclear when Damon is set to leave, but it could be quite early on. Since he’s got family, we expect he’ll get a proper sendoff.
The next departure is Sam Carver’s (Jake Lockett), who has been struggling with both his job and personal life. He hinted that he wanted to return home in Season 12, and the upcoming season sees him make the leap.
Like Damon, it’s also unclear when he will leave, and there has been no indication he will get a proper sendoff.
The final departure is Darren Ritter’s (Daniel Kyri). The character will appear in numerous episodes of Season 13 before being given a proper sendoff.
The latter two will have a profound effect on Violet, who will be losing two people she cares for deeply.
From the limited footage we’ve seen from the One Chicago teaser (screenshots are used throughout this article and the video is below), none of the three departing character are visible, but the new recruit is front and center.
The Mandate
Chicago Fire Season 13 featured a forgettable arc where a CFD auditor visited 51 to try to improve efficiency and cut costs.
When the writers crafted that story, they didn’t anticipate significant budget cuts, which are a reality in the CFD and on NBC.
The new season primarily deals with the upcoming personnel changes and how they affect the firehouse.
“We’re going to have a lot of turnover and a lot craziness going on in the CFD from the top, where people are being cut and moved, and everything’s going to get shaken up next season,” showrunner Andrea Newman said in an interview after the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale.
Season 14 finds a smaller crew in the firehouse and fewer firehouses in the CFD.
The season premiere introduces Annabeth Gish as Annette Davis, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff. She appears for multiple episodes to enforce the mandatory cuts.
The immediate effect of the smaller crew will be felt by Truck, which is losing two team members, but even Engine, Squad, and Ambo will not be spared.
When other firehouses are closed down, Ambo’s workload increases and stretches Violet and Novak thin.
Some shuffling around is done as Capp rides with Ambo to offer more hands.
Who Are the New Characters In Chicago Fire Season 14?
As the pressure mounts, Pascal brings in an extra set of hands and enlists cop-turned-firefighter, Sal Vasquez.
“Sal is good at his job and he knows it. He wants to be the best he can be at his job and to protect those around him while he’s doing it,” Larracuente said of his character.
Sal is a bit cocky and has a rich history in the first responder world, and will prove a challenge for his lieutenant. However, Severide takes a liking to the guy with whom they have so much in common.
“The charming Sal Vasquez is the new addition to 51, and, like Severide, this character is rich with family history in the first responder world, much of it buried,” Newman said while previewing the character.
“But not for long. Vasquez will prove a real challenge to Kidd, his new lieutenant, as well as to Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) as she tries to get to know this seemingly unknowable guy.”
The Personal Arcs
Many of the personal arcs in the new season carry over from the previous season.
Stella and Severide learned that they were expecting a baby, which changed the trajectory of their lives as a family.
They have some adjusting to do as they try to balance parenting with their demanding job.
Meanwhile, some friction develops between Mouch and Herrmann after the latter gave up his position as Engine’s lieutenant for his friend.
And, “Mouch really steps up and takes over,” Newman said in an interview.
But never before have the dynamics between the two been flipped, and Mouch being Herrmann’s boss tests their friendship.
If there’s one thing we can saw for certain, it’s that there isn’t a single smiling face in the released footage. Just how challenging will this next season be?
Find out on Wednesday, October 1 when the 21-episode fourteenth season of Chicago Fire debuts on NBC.
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