In Chicago Fire season 14, episode 5, viewers finally learn how Sal ended up at Firehouse 51 — and it’s a revelation that shakes both him and his colleagues. As tensions rise, Kidd faces a near-fatal scare on a call, reminding everyone how fragile life in the field can be.
Sal’s Past Comes Crashing Into the Present
The episode opens with Sal trying to ignore his father’s calls. His father, a disgraced detective who once planted evidence, is desperate to reach him. When Sal refuses to answer, his father calls the firehouse — and Kidd picks up.
That call changes everything. Sal lashes out, furious that his dad contacted him at work. His father warns that if Sal doesn’t help him soon, he’ll have no chance at parole. Before hanging up, Sal accuses him of “ruining things” yet again, suggesting deep wounds from their shared past.
Kidd quickly connects the dots, realizing Sal’s father is the same detective tied to a notorious case where a woman was killed by her ex. She confides in Severide, worried that Sal’s father might be trying to drag his son down with him.
A Father’s Confession
Sal later confronts his father in person, determined to end the manipulation. His father drops a bombshell — he wasn’t the reason Sal got kicked out of the police department. In fact, he was the reason Sal got a second chance.
He reveals that he called in a favor to secure Sal a position with the Chicago Fire Department and a slot at Firehouse 51, the most respected house in the city. The truth leaves Sal reeling. Everything he’s built might be tied to the man he’s tried to escape.
By the end of the episode, Sal looks through old case files, torn between resentment and obligation. It’s clear he’s considering reaching out to the widower his father mentioned — a choice that could put his future at risk.
Kidd’s Close Call
While Sal’s family drama unfolds, Kidd finds herself in serious danger during a rescue call. A hidden gas leak knocks her unconscious while she’s helping a trapped victim. In a tense moment, Sal jumps into action, securing the leak while Violet and Novak rush to revive Kidd.
She regains consciousness after receiving oxygen, but the terrifying scene leaves everyone rattled — especially Severide. Fans feared this might be the start of a major exit arc for Kidd, but thankfully, she’s cleared for duty by the next shift.
Hope, Healing, and Firehouse Family
The episode closes on a lighter note as the crew comes together for Herrmann’s fundraiser, organized by Mouch. After a long day of danger, deception, and truth, the bonds between 51’s firefighters feel stronger than ever.
Still, Sal’s story is far from over. With his father’s parole hanging in the balance and old guilt resurfacing, his next move could define his future at 51 — or destroy it.
