For over a decade, Firehouse 51 has been a place of resilience, brotherhood, and gripping drama. As the flagship of Dick Wolf’s One Chicago franchise, Chicago Fire continues to be a ratings juggernaut, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with its blend of high-octane rescues and deeply personal stories.
Season 14 promises to be one of the most transformative yet, marked by significant cast shakeups, major plot developments tied to city-wide budget crises, and a highly emotional journey for its central couple, Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd, a.k.a. Stellaride.
If you’re looking to gear up for the action, here is your definitive guide to everything you need to know about Chicago Fire Season 14.
When Does Chicago Fire Season 14 Premiere?
Mark your calendars! Chicago Fire Season 14 premiered on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in its long-standing 9:00 p.m. ET/PT time slot on NBC. The show continues to anchor the Wednesday night line-up, followed by Chicago P.D. and airing after Chicago Med.
As is standard for the One Chicago shows, new episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock, giving fans plenty of options to catch all the high-stakes drama.
Major Cast Exits and the New Face of Firehouse 51
Season 14 delivers a dramatic shift in the Firehouse 51 roster, with three fan-favorite characters departing and a new series regular stepping into the gap. These changes are largely driven by a major season arc involving city-wide CFD budget cuts and layoffs.
The Departures
The biggest news heading into the season was the confirmed exits of three beloved firefighters:
- Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri): Ritter, a mainstay since Season 7, is transitioning away from Firehouse 51. His exit arc involves an emotional story centered around his ex-boyfriend, Dwayne, who is shot in the line of duty in New York. Ritter chooses to take a furlough and head east to support his former partner, leaving the door open for a potential, though currently unscheduled, return. This storyline tests his commitment to both his career and his personal life.
- Sam Carver (Jake Lockett): Carver, who joined in Season 11, has officially transferred to the Denver Fire Department. His departure is part of his commitment to getting a fresh start and maintaining his sobriety, even though it means leaving behind a burgeoning relationship with Violet Mikami. The show confirmed his transfer as final, though showrunners have hinted they are open to guest appearances in the future.
- Jack Damon (Michael Bradway): Severide’s half-brother, who was introduced late in Season 12, is also out. His departure was casually mentioned in the premiere, as he was written off with a simple transfer to another firehouse. This abrupt exit allows the actor to pursue other projects.
The cumulative effect of these losses means Truck 81 and Ambulance 61 will feel the pressure, with a smaller crew and a major shift in the dynamics that fans have grown to love.
The New Firefighter
To fill the void, Brandon Larracuente joins the cast as a new series regular, Firefighter Sal Vásquez.
- The Character: Vásquez is introduced as a skilled but rebellious “bad boy” with a history of problems with authority. He arrives at 51 under mysterious circumstances—a move orchestrated as a “favor” by Chief Dom Pascal—amidst the budget cuts, raising immediate questions about his place and his past.
- The Dynamic: He is placed under Lieutenant Stella Kidd on Truck 81. Showrunners have teased that the dynamic between the rule-following Kidd and the rogue Vásquez will be a major source of tension, drama, and eventual growth for both characters, as Kidd attempts to keep the talented firefighter from derailing his career.
Major Season 14 Plot Details
The new season is defined by high-stakes emotional arcs and external pressure on the entire Chicago Fire Department.
Stellaride’s Emotional Journey
The Season 13 finale ended with the joyous news that Stella Kidd was pregnant. However, the Season 14 premiere delivered a bittersweet, devastating twist for the beloved couple.
- Pregnancy Loss: In the emotional opening moments of the premiere, Kidd and Severide learn that Stella has lost the baby. This is a profound, shared grief that will test the foundation of their relationship and force them to lean on each other for support.
- A New Path to Parenthood: The tragedy, however, quickly opens a new door. By the end of the premiere, the couple’s social worker contacts them with news of a teenager needing immediate placement after being removed from a group home. Having previously explored an adoption storyline (in a rejected Foster Parenting pitch), Kidd and Severide will now embark on an intense, immediate path toward foster care or adoption, fulfilling the fan-favorite headcanon of them becoming parents, albeit under incredibly difficult circumstances. This arc is set to be the emotional anchor of the season.
The Budget Crisis and 51’s Future
The entire Chicago Fire Department faces an unprecedented level of political and economic turmoil.
- CFD Layoffs and Cuts: The season’s overarching threat comes from a new push by the Mayor’s Chief of Staff to enforce major budget cuts, brownouts, and firehouse closures. This threat creates instability and increases the workload for the remaining firehouses, including 51.
- Herrmann’s Personal Crisis: The political pressure and shifting dynamics will take a toll on Christopher Herrmann. Following his decision to step down as an officer so Mouch could take the Lieutenant spot on Engine 51, Herrmann is facing a personal crisis described as his most challenging yet. The shift in rank with his best friend Mouch will test their relationship, while an unknown, major personal event will push Herrmann to his limits.
Violet and the Aftermath
Ambulance 61’s paramedic, Violet Mikami, is uniquely affected by the cast changes, losing both her close friend Ritter (on furlough) and her romantic interest Carver (transferred). This leaves her partnership with Novak stretched thin by the increased workload from the city cuts. Violet’s storyline will focus on her resilience and leadership as she navigates professional challenges while dealing with the fallout of the abrupt end to her relationship with Carver.
Season 14 of Chicago Fire promises to be a deep dive into the true cost of their heroic work, both on the job and in their personal lives, making it a must-watch return for the series.
