In the latest episode of Chicago Fire, changes were made to the roster of Firehouse 51’s Truck 81 and Engine, sparking mixed reactions among the crew and fans alike. Herrmann, known for his resourcefulness, comes up with a clever solution to the team’s staffing issues, but will it satisfy everyone?
The episode starts with Stella needing to find a replacement for Damon on Truck 81. Her first choice is Kylie, but she surprises Stella by declining the offer. Kylie explains that she doesn’t want to work under Stella’s shadow and prefers to carve out her own path. Frustrated, Stella asks Chief Pascal for another floater, but he’s unhappy with her constant requests and demands that she make a permanent choice for the next shift.
Witnessing the tension between Stella and Pascal, Herrmann proposes an unexpected idea. He suggests that Ritter move to Truck 81, a role he’s been interested in since temporarily filling in for Mouch. This solves Stella’s problem. As for Engine, Herrmann is more than happy to let Ritter go because he believes Kylie is the perfect fit to join the Engine team — and this time, Kylie agrees to the position.
Violet’s Career Crisis
Meanwhile, Violet faces a serious professional challenge when she performs an emergency C-section in the field, which is outside the scope of her paramedic duties. As a result, her medical license is suspended, and she’s placed on desk duty at Firehouse 51. To protect her colleague Novak, Violet insists that she acted alone in the decision. Chief Pascal recommends she seek an advocate in the medical community, leading Violet to seek help from Goodwin at Chicago Med.
However, Goodwin informs Violet that the medical board is made up of doctors who are unlikely to support a paramedic’s actions that overstep their role. Instead of offering to help, Goodwin advises Violet to find someone with political influence. Disheartened, Violet updates Pascal, who then approaches Lieutenant Vale, asking for assistance. Despite initial skepticism, Vale’s involvement leads to an unexpected twist: he brings an alderman to Violet’s hearing.
In a surprising turn of events, Paramedic Field Chief Robinson also advocates for Violet, stating that ethically, she made the right decision to save the baby’s life. With the alderman threatening to expose the medical board’s decisions to the public, and the baby’s family present, Violet’s license is reinstated. Novak praises Pascal for saving Violet’s career, noting that it means many more lives will be saved as a result. Relieved, Violet apologizes to Carver for a previous argument, and the two agree to be friends.
Severide and Damon Make Amends
In another subplot, Severide and Damon’s ongoing conflict reaches an unexpected resolution. Instead of seeking revenge, Severide offers a helping hand to Damon by putting in a good word for him at his new firehouse. Damon, surprised by the gesture, questions why Severide would help him after everything that happened. Severide takes Damon to see his father Benny’s medal of valor plaque, explaining that Benny was a great firefighter but often sacrificed other aspects of his life. Severide acknowledges that he used to be the same way but reassures Damon that he’s committed to staying grounded.
What’s Next for Firehouse 51?
With the new lineup in place, fans are left to wonder how these changes will affect the dynamics at Firehouse 51. Ritter’s move to Truck 81 marks a significant shift, and Kylie’s addition to Engine could bring fresh energy to the team. As Violet navigates her professional recovery, it’s clear that the crew’s bond will remain strong, even in the face of constant challenges.
The episode showcases the resilience and camaraderie that have made Chicago Fire a fan favorite, and it raises the question: are fans happy with the new Truck and Engine roster? Only time will tell how these changes play out, but one thing is for sure — Firehouse 51 is never short on drama, both on and off the job.
