Firehouse 51 has always been defined by its leaders. For years, that role was filled by the unwavering moral compass of Chief Wallace Boden. Following his promotion and eventual exit, the revolving door of command—most recently Chief Dom Pascal—created an unsettling period of transition for the beloved firehouse family. Now, in the wake of Pascal’s dramatic departure, Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) finds himself taking the reins, an unexpected but arguably inevitable development.
The question burning brightest in the minds of Chicago Fire fans is clear: Is Severide’s time as the ranking officer at Firehouse 51 a short-term solution to manage the immediate crisis, or does this signal a monumental, permanent shift in the leadership structure, ushering in a long-awaited new era for the show?
The Circumstances of Pascal’s Exit
Chief Pascal’s tenure at Firehouse 51 was defined by tension, tragedy, and a lingering sense of mystery. Brought in to replace Boden, the former Miami Chief quickly alienated some of the house’s most trusted members, including his Squad 3 Lieutenant, Severide, and Truck 81 Lieutenant, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo).
Pascal’s arc was tragically intertwined with his personal life. His wife’s death in a car accident sent him spiraling, leading to erratic behavior and a dangerous, personal investigation into the other driver, Robert Franklin. This obsessive pursuit of vengeance culminated in a shocking turn: Pascal was ultimately arrested under suspicion of attempting to murder Franklin, the man he blamed for his wife’s death.
Whether or not the charges stick, the sheer gravity of the situation—a Battalion Chief being handcuffed and accused of attempted murder—makes his return to Firehouse 51 virtually impossible. In the highly public and scrutinized world of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), a scandal of this magnitude requires a definitive removal.
This is the vacuum Severide has stepped into. As the most senior Lieutenant and arguably the most trusted leader left in the house after Boden’s exit, he became the de facto ranking officer. This immediate necessity, rather than a formal promotion, underscores the temporary nature of his current authority, yet it simultaneously presents an open door to a new, more lasting role.
Severide’s Long-Standing Aversion to Command
For loyal viewers, the sight of Kelly Severide in the Chief’s office is both satisfying and highly ironic. For over a decade, Severide has consistently displayed a fierce loyalty to the field, repeatedly turning down opportunities for promotion to Captain or Battalion Chief.
His reasoning has always been straightforward: he is a Squad Lieutenant at heart. Squad 3 is the rescue team, the unit that runs into the most dangerous situations, requiring the most specialized skills and equipment. Severide thrives on the high-adrenaline, on-the-line work. He’s often voiced his distaste for the paperwork, politics, and administrative duties that come with the higher ranks.
Even when he was temporarily the ranking officer in the past—such as when Boden was dealing with personal issues—Severide quickly grew frustrated with the “counseling” aspect of the job. He openly admitted that Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) was better suited for the people-management side of leadership.
This history suggests his current stint as the chief-in-charge is precisely what the title implies: temporary. His focus on arson investigation (OFI) only further draws him away from the day-to-day command of a firehouse. However, a permanent role may be the logical conclusion to a long, complex character arc.
The Case for a Permanent Severide Era
Despite his stated preferences, several factors align to make Severide’s permanent command of Firehouse 51 a compelling narrative choice and a smart move for the series:
1. Experience and Maturity
Severide isn’t the reckless lieutenant of Season 1. He’s a married man, an established arson investigator, and a proven leader of Squad 3. His brief but impactful experience running the house during Boden’s or Pascal’s absences has given him the necessary exposure to the Battalion Chief role. He has the respect of the entire house, something Pascal never truly earned.
2. The End of the Arson/OFI Arc
While Severide’s passion for arson investigation is undeniable, it has led to several periods of friction with his wife, Stella, and his duties at 51. A promotion to Battalion Chief, which often involves working closely with police and arson investigators, could naturally integrate his passion into his new administrative role, resolving the continuous conflict between his two careers.
3. Filling the Leadership Vacuum
The most viable alternative, Christopher Herrmann, who was once positioned to take the Chief’s test, has consistently shown deep ambivalence about the promotion, ultimately deciding against the full-time administrative burden. With Herrmann confirming his place as Lieutenant and Mouch’s new position on Engine 51, Severide is the only high-ranking officer with the seniority, skill, and narrative weight to fill the massive, Boden-sized hole in the firehouse’s command structure.
A New Era of Stability and Partnership
The ultimate outcome will likely hinge on Severide’s personal evolution. For years, the Chicago Fire writers used Severide’s hesitation to advance as a way to keep him in the action and maintain the Squad 3 dynamic. However, the long-running show is overdue for a significant shift in its power structure.
If Severide accepts the challenge, the Severide-Kidd dynamic—dubbed “Power Couple” by fans—will enter an exciting new phase. Kidd running Truck 81 while Severide runs the entire Battalion (Battalion 25) would make them the preeminent power players in the Chicago Fire Department, a fitting evolution for two characters who began the series as peers and protégés.
For the show, a permanent Chief Severide promises a return to the stability and internal trust that Firehouse 51 lost after Boden’s exit. It would signal the start of a new, grounded era where the drama comes from the action outside the firehouse walls, rather than the constant turmoil of an untrusted or absent leader within.
While the administrative work will always be a struggle for the rescue specialist, Severide running 51—and perhaps having the opportunity to choose his own Deputy, a role Herrmann could fill informally—offers the best of both worlds: a beloved character in command and a future that finally feels secure for the heart of the CFD. The temporary fix may be exactly what’s needed to convince him to finally, and permanently, step into his destiny.
