For over a decade, Dick Wolf’s “One Chicago” universe—spearheaded by the gritty reality of Firehouse 51—has set the standard for first responder procedural dramas. While shows like Chicago Fire work tirelessly to achieve authenticity, utilizing real Chicago Fire Department firefighters as consultants and extras, the nature of television often demands a bit of dramatic flair.
Recently, new series regular Jocelyn Hudon, who plays Paramedic Lizzie Novak, shared a delightful behind-the-scenes anecdote that highlights the one major inaccuracy the show leans into—and why it’s actually a great thing for viewers. It turns out that the emotional connection and intense reaction we see from our favorite firefighters and paramedics isn’t always realistic, but it’s the secret ingredient that makes these high-stakes dramas so compelling.
The Critique: “You’re Overreacting”
In an interview promoting the upcoming Season 14, Jocelyn Hudon revealed a key piece of advice (or rather, a friendly critique) she’s received from the real-life first responder consultants on the set of Chicago Fire.
Hudon noted that her training has sometimes involved being told to dial down the intense emotionality we often see on TV. The core inaccuracy? The degree to which first responders react emotionally to every emergency, especially those that don’t directly involve them.
Real paramedics and firefighters, in order to perform their life-saving duties efficiently and objectively, must maintain a certain level of professional detachment. If every call resulted in a visible, dramatic emotional toll, the job would be impossible to sustain.
As Hudon recounts the feedback, the consultants essentially say, “You’re overreacting. You’re too emotionally involved.” Yet, this is precisely the element that television procedurals, including Chicago Fire, must intentionally exaggerate.
Why Objectivity is Reality, But Emotion is TV
The fundamental difference between TV drama and real-life emergency response is the need for immersion and empathy for the audience.
- The Reality: Real first responders are trained to manage their emotions, maintain a rapid, focused pace, and keep a cool head amid chaos. They internalize the tragedy so they can save lives, making their work atmosphere, as some have observed, surprisingly “laid-back” in the face of disaster. Their compassion is demonstrated by their efficiency and skill, not necessarily by visible tears or dramatic facial expressions.
- The TV Necessity: If viewers watched a true-to-life depiction where the Chicago Fire crew maintained a strictly objective, calm demeanor on every horrific call, the audience would feel a dramatic disconnect. We watch these shows to see humanity rise above the crisis. We need Stella Kidd or Joe Cruz to react with raw emotion because it provides a tangible translation of their empathy.
This televised ‘inaccuracy’ is what gives the show its heart. It assures the audience that the heroes of Firehouse 51 are not just skilled professionals, but genuinely care about the victims they serve.
The Great Inaccuracy: Empathy as Currency
This exaggeration of emotional response in TV procedurals is, in fact, the genre’s secretly greatest inaccuracy. It is the key trade-off made to ensure that the audience remains deeply invested in the moral core of the characters.
- Validation of Suffering: When Violet Mikami fights desperately to save a child, or when Kelly Severide personally invests in the victim of an arson case, it tells the viewer that their suffering has been seen and validated by the people risking their lives to help them.
- The Comfort of the Connection: TV dramas like Chicago Fire are a comfort to many because they present a world where the heroes always go above and beyond. While real first responders certainly exhibit deep compassion, TV translates this inherent empathy into visible, tangible actions that resonate emotionally with the viewer. We are comforted knowing that the people saving us will not let us suffer alone.
- Elevating the Stakes: The emotional investment of the characters amplifies the on-screen drama. When Herrmann worries like a father, or when Kidd pushes herself to the limit for a victim, the stakes feel exponentially higher than if they treated the call with purely professional detachment.
In a recent season, we’ve seen characters like Chief Boden take on personal causes and Joe Cruz grapple with ethical dilemmas that blur the line between professional duty and personal commitment. These narratives thrive on the idea that the Firehouse 51 family is not just a workplace, but a hub of profound human connection—a connection that extends to the public they serve.
The Integrity of One Chicago
While Chicago Fire takes creative license with the emotional intensity, the show remains deeply committed to authenticity in all other areas. The details matter, from the accurate portrayal of firefighting lingo and protocols (often cited as being more realistic than some competitors) to the gritty, lived-in feel of the sets.
The series is constantly walking a tightrope: balancing the need for dramatic, binge-worthy television with a profound respect for the real-life heroes of the CFD. The anecdote from Jocelyn Hudon about being “too emotional” perfectly encapsulates this creative challenge. The emotional inaccuracy isn’t a flaw; it’s a necessary compromise that allows the show to deliver heartfelt stories while maintaining the high-octane thrills of a Dick Wolf procedural.
As Chicago Fire enters Season 14, fans can look forward to seeing Paramedic Novak and the rest of the crew continue to overreact (in the best way possible) to the challenges that come through the doors of Firehouse 51. It’s a reminder that at the core of the drama, the fire remains intense, the characters remain human, and the dedication to telling stories with heart is what truly defines the spirit of One Chicago.
