Chicago Fire hasn’t been the same since Chief Wallace Boden departed Firehouse 51 in season 12. Boden left to pursue his new position as

Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD). He initially didn’t want the job but changed his mind because the older

generation of firefighters in the CFD was in jeopardy due to Paramedic Chief Robinson’s candidacy. Boden wanted to prevent Robinson from becoming Deputy Commissioner and took the job himself to ensure that every firefighter was treated fairly.

 

 

Boden was a caring leader, mentor, and father figure to everyone in Firehouse 51. Firefighters and paramedics approached their leader during challenging situations, and he would advise them with diligence and sincerity. Boden was never intimidated by anyone who outranked him or threatened to take his job if he didn’t comply with their rules. With Dom Pascal as the new Chief of 51 in season 13, firefighters like Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide have felt pressured to adjust to change. Various elements of his character demonstrate how much of a loss his exit was for Chicago Fire.

 

 

One of Boden’s greatest qualities is standing up for himself and his team when confronted by other high-ranked firefighters. For example, in season 5, episode 14, “Purgatory,” Boden is infuriated when Deputy District Chief Jim Anderson reassigns nearly every member of Firehouse 51 to different fire stations. Anderson did this in response to Boden and his crew going on the same call as Anderson’s unit in the previous episode. This resulted in Boden making a life-saving decision that Anderson viewed as overstepping his authority.

 

 

Boden makes it clear to Anderson that he never intended to sidestep his leadership role, and he’s the only one who should decide which firefighters stay and go in Firehouse 51. Another pivotal confrontation involved Boden squaring off against Ray Riddle, a District Deputy Chief for the CFD, who intentionally went after 51 because he wanted to become commissioner and fired Boden for his legal troubles. Boden, refusing to back down, warns Riddle that he will fight to get his job back, and eventually does, foiling Riddle’s plan, causing his demotion to airport work.

 

 

When members of Firehouse 51 went through difficult times, they would go to Chief Boden for support and guidance. For instance, Boden assisted firefighter Joe Cruz on multiple occasions. In the episode, “What I Saw,” Joe contemplates the decision to go undercover for Intelligence to help solve a series of robberies possibly caused by another firefighter. Boden believes in Cruz and affirms that it’s the right thing to do. This is a major contrast to season 13 because Cruz didn’t feel comfortable talking to Chief Pascal about his problem with drug dealer Junior Polanco.

Boden also helped his colleagues prepare for stressful exams to elevate their job status, including paramedic Gabriela Dawson with her firefighter test. He mentored Christopher Herrmann for the lieutenant exam and encouraged him to do the Battalion Chief test later on so he could be his successor. Boden has supported his paramedics, including Sylvie Brett with her paramedicine program to aid the elderly in their homes, and backed Violet Mikami during her blackmail turmoil with Emma Jacobs.

Boden was always the greatest speaker when he gave motivational speeches to uplift his firehouse during successful rescues and celebratory promotions. One example is when the chief surprises his crew during a community cookout by announcing that Herrmann will be promoted to lieutenant in Firehouse 51. When mentioning Herrmann’s new role, Boden talks about how the job of a firefighter is to help the community, not for self-serving or egotistical purposes. Boden knows Herrmann well and has strong confidence in his abilities as a lieutenant.

The chief gave a passionate speech during Brian “Otis” Zvonecek’s memorial service, signifying the emotion felt by his peers and the pain of losing a fellow firefighter. Another sentimental moment was one of Boden’s last speeches to his crew in season 12 because firefighters like Severide and Kidd know Firehouse 51 won’t be the same without their leader. Boden describes the challenges of change and how individuals come and go in 51, but they will always be considered family.

Chief Boden always protected his fellow firefighters and paramedics whenever they were in trouble or faced scrutiny. One particular instance of this occurred when Boden stood up for Severide when he was being micromanaged by a furious Anderson in season 5’s “Trading in Scuttlebutt.”

Boden defended the firehouse against several antagonists who wanted to take over Firehouse 51, including Anderson, Riddle, and Paramedic Chief Robinson during his final season. The chief even attempted to resign from 51 when his crew was threatened by Deputy Director of Finance Gail McLeod in season 2. The fact that none of them were able to get rid of Boden and Firehouse 51 is a testament to their strength and resilience over the years.