With its high-stakes action and thrilling rescues, Chicago Fire has captivated viewers for over a decade. The show, part of the One Chicago franchise, focuses on the brave first responders who risk their lives daily in the Windy City. But with 13 seasons and counting, many fans wonder—how much of the series is grounded in reality? Is Firehouse 51 based on a real station? And are any of the plotlines inspired by true events?
While Chicago Fire brings drama and excitement to the screen, it’s important to understand how closely the show mirrors real-life firefighting.
Is Chicago Fire Based on Real Life?
In short, no—Chicago Fire is not directly based on real-life incidents. Unlike Law & Order, where creator Dick Wolf often uses real cases as inspiration, Chicago Fire focuses on the day-to-day challenges of first responders. The series allows for creative freedom, especially in portraying dramatic rescues. For example, while a firefighter officiating a wedding might be realistic, the scene where two firefighters jump off a four-story building to escape an explosion is far less likely.
That said, Chicago Fire does pay tribute to real firefighters in Chicago. The series strives to capture the spirit and camaraderie of firefighting life, even if the action is sometimes exaggerated.
Realism in Firehouse 51: What’s True?
Despite the fictionalized elements, Chicago Fire takes certain aspects of firefighting seriously. Dushone Roman, a firefighter featured in Dick Wolf’s nonfiction series L.A. Fire & Rescue, shared his thoughts on how the show balances fact and fiction. In an interview with TV Insider, Roman noted that the workplace dynamics in Chicago Fire—especially the banter between firefighters—are strikingly realistic. He explained, “That’s exactly what we do in the fire services. Watching Chicago Fire brings back memories of what we do.”
Roman added that while the show gets many things right, some medical scenes, such as how oxygen masks are used, can miss the mark.
The show also collaborates with local firefighter unions and sometimes includes real firefighters as extras. One notable example is Anthony “Tony” Ferraris, who began as an extra in early episodes and became a full-time cast member by Season 3.
Anthony Ferraris: A Real-Life Firefighter Turned Cast Member
Tony Ferraris, a real Chicago firefighter, joined the show after initially being asked to drive the squad truck during filming. “On the first day of filming, the crew realized nobody in the cast was able to drive squad,” Ferraris shared in a 2020 interview. Steve Chikerotis, a retired Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief and the show’s technical advisor, asked Ferraris to step in. From there, Ferraris was invited to audition for a speaking role, which led to his regular appearance on the series.
Beyond his role in front of the camera, Ferraris offers valuable input to the production team, helping to ensure some authenticity in how firefighting scenes are depicted. “They’ll ask me things like, ‘If you’re forcing this door open, how would you do it?’” Ferraris explained. He emphasized that while the show features dramatic situations, the real work of fighting fires is often “stranger than fiction.”
When asked about the accuracy of Chicago Fire, Ferraris echoed Roman’s views on the realism of the relationships among firefighters. “We have a very dangerous job, and we’re very tight when that bell rings,” Ferraris said. “But when we’re at the firehouse, we’re busting on each other and giving each other a hard time. It’s your second family.”
Filming Locations: Real and Fictional Firehouses
While Chicago Fire doesn’t base its stories on specific true events, the series does use a real Chicago firehouse for some scenes. Exterior shots of Firehouse 51 are filmed at the real-life Engine 18 station on S. Blue Island Avenue in Chicago. The interior scenes, however, are shot at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios but are designed to resemble the layout of Engine 18.
The bonds formed in the fictional Firehouse 51 are one of the most authentic elements of the show. Over the course of its run, Chicago Fire has depicted friendships, romances, and tight-knit alliances that feel genuine, largely because they mirror the real-life relationships formed by first responders who spend long hours together on the job.
Conclusion: Fact Meets Fiction in Chicago Fire
While the thrilling rescues and over-the-top action of Chicago Fire may not always reflect reality, the show succeeds in capturing the heart of what it means to be a firefighter. By blending fictional drama with authentic workplace dynamics and real locations, Chicago Fire pays homage to the brave men and women of the Chicago Fire Department—making it both entertaining and, in some ways, true to life.
