Chicago Fire is back with season 14, and while fans are bracing themselves for the loss of Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), Firehouse 51 isn’t staying quiet for long. Enter Brandon Larracuente as Sal Vasquez—a fiery, confident, and sometimes reckless newcomer whose arrival is already stirring the flames.
Sal Vasquez Arrives at Firehouse 51
When Sal Vasquez makes his debut, it’s clear he has plenty of swagger. In a first-look teaser, Kidd introduces him as the replacement for “a hell of a good driver.” Instead of showing humility, Sal shoots back with, “Not as good as me.” The bold reply doesn’t exactly impress his new lieutenant, setting the tone for what could be a rocky adjustment period.
Miranda Rae Mayo (Kidd) explained the dynamic bluntly: “Kidd is just kind of annoyed by the cockiness that he portrays.”
Larracuente, however, insists Sal’s confidence shouldn’t be mistaken for arrogance. According to the actor, his character’s attitude comes from a drive to be the best firefighter he can possibly be.
Reckless but Redeemable
Early footage reveals Sal behind the wheel, pushing limits and refusing to blindly follow orders. Viewers know that kind of behavior rarely ends well at Firehouse 51. Still, there’s potential. Kidd, Mouch, and the rest of the crew may just be able to shape Sal into a reliable team member—if his impulsiveness doesn’t get him into trouble first.
Sparks with Novak
It’s not just on the firetruck where Sal makes an impression. Jocelyn Hudon, who plays paramedic Lizzie Novak, described Vasquez as “mysterious” and “dangerous.” A teaser clip shows Sal openly flirting with Novak, teasing a storyline that could pull the fan-favorite paramedic into uncharted romantic waters.
Whether Novak ends up exploring a connection with Sal—or with a Chicago Med character as hinted—fans can already sense the chemistry brewing.
A Warm Welcome Behind the Scenes
While Sal may clash with the crew onscreen, Larracuente says the cast welcomed him with open arms both on set and in Chicago. The actor admitted stepping into the One Chicago universe is daunting, especially with the exits of Carver, Damon, and Ritter still fresh, but his fellow cast members quickly made him feel like part of the family.
A New Era for Firehouse 51
Losing Carver is tough for fans who connected with his journey. But season 14 makes it clear that Vasquez isn’t here to quietly fill the void—he’s here to shake things up. Reckless, cocky, and undeniably charismatic, Sal is poised to be one of the most talked-about additions in One Chicago this year.
