10 Ways Firehouse 51 Misses Chief Boden In Chicago Fire Season 13

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.

10

Boden’s Tough Demeanor Towards Other High-Ranked Firefighters

Boden Is A Fearless Leader When Confronting Others

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.

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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.

9

Boden’s Ability To Listen To His Crew When They’re In Turmoil

Boden Cares About The Challenges Of His Crew Members

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.

8

Boden’s Inspirational Speeches To The Firehouse

Boden Knows How To Inspire His Unit With Words Of Wisdom

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.

7

Boden’s Protectiveness Towards His Firefighters And Paramedics

Boden Stands Up For Every Member Of Firehouse 51

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.

6

Boden’s Tagline Let’s Go Let’s Go Let’s Go

The Chief’s Catchphrase Sets The Tone For Each Call

Every time Firehouse 51 responds to a call and arrives on the scene, Boden is one of the first leaders to give or acknowledge orders on how to handle a fire. He follows that by saying “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.” This tagline is motivational by Boden because it encourages his crew to get going and react quickly to a dangerous situation. British actor Eamonn Walker, who played Boden for twelve seasons, was inspired to use this catchphrase so he could develop his character’s voice and American accent after listening to tapes of real Chicago fire chiefs.

The chief’s final rescue at 51 and his “let’s go” chant highlight how much Boden would be missed by his unit because he has been their leader ever since the show’s inception. Boden and his tagline are missing this season because Chief Pascal doesn’t have a catchphrase and has a more stern demeanor compared to his predecessor. Perhaps, if Herrmann becomes the future chief of 51, he can use Boden’s line for inspiration or come up with a tagline of his own.

5

Boden’s Relationship With His Stepson

The Chief Is Also A Father Who Loves His Family

Aside from Boden’s firefighting duties at 51, his personal life is highlighted in certain moments of the show. This includes his complex relationship with his stepson Jimmy. Boden raised Jimmy like his own son during his previous marriage to Shonda. In season 12, Boden provided some much-needed emotional support to Jimmy after failing to get Shonda out of prison.

The chief’s ability to take time away from his job to be a caring father to Jimmy signifies Boden’s strength as a family man willing to help his child in need of love and support. If Boden were to stick around the show longer, it would’ve been intriguing to see Boden and Jimmy rebuild their father-son relationship even further. However, they can both make special appearances to see how they’re doing after Boden left Firehouse 51.

4

Boden’s Ability To Run Towards Danger

Chief Boden Faces Dangerous Situations Without Hesitation

While Boden is generally depicted as the leader who commands his crew during calls, the chief has had his fair share of moments when he takes action during dangerous rescues. For instance, in season 11, episode 4, Boden rushes to a scene where a young boy is unconscious due to being buried under a tremendous amount of sand on the beach. Boden relentlessly digs out the sand with his bare hands and manages to save the boy.

This moment was impactful because it came after Firehouse 51 mourned the loss of Paramedic Field Chief Evan Hawkins, along with Boden’s empathetic response to the call as a father with children of his own. Other remarkable calls involved the chief going into a burning building on his own to rescue Severide and Gabriela, as well as hosing down a big burning truck with a bomb inside. Whenever Boden is physically involved during a call, it’s special because it further establishes his skills as a firefighter and not just giving orders.

3

Boden’s Fatherly Bond Towards Stella Kidd

Chief Boden And Stella Had A Special Relationship

Chief Boden has mentored nearly every firefighter who has joined Firehouse 51 over the years. But his bond with Stella Kidd was intriguing because he always treated her like a daughter. Stella is consistently appreciative of Boden’s support and warmness towards her because she wouldn’t have become a lieutenant without his guidance. After Stella’s previous issues, including with her ex-husband, Grant Smith, she is grateful to work alongside Boden because he inspired her to become a key leader at 51 and to pursue her Girls On Fire program.

Boden and Stella’s father-daughter bond was solidified when Stella asked the chief to walk her down the aisle during her wedding to Severide. They’ve also had funny moments, including one in which Boden and Stella were worried about Girls On Fire candidate Kylie Estevez and her dating life.

2

Boden’s Camaraderie With Severide And Casey

Boden With Severide And Casey Are Three Of A Kind

Throughout the majority of the show, Boden, Severide, and Casey develop a friendly working relationship. The three of them know how to act swiftly during each call and are skilled in coming up with rescue plans. Although they’ve had disagreements on certain calls and each has their own personality, they have stuck together to keep the firehouse afloat. When Boden nearly loses his job permanently due to Riddle’s mischievous scheme, Casey and Severide protect the chief from physically confronting Riddle and getting in trouble.

Boden has also been like a father to Severide and Casey, especially when attending each of their weddings. After a long day of firefighting, the three gentlemen would smoke cigars and have personal conversations about relationships, concerns, and issues with cases at work. Boden supported both firefighters when they went through their challenges, including Casey’s head injury in season 9, and Severide emotionally losing his father Benny.

1

Boden’s Leadership In Firehouse 51

Chief Boden Is An Inspiration To His Firehouse Family

Boden’s key to success as a Battalion Chief and a family man is his undeniable leadership. His priorities were always to respectfully lead his Firehouse 51 crew and react quickly towards dangerous fires and emergencies. Boden has had close bonds with firefighters like Severide, Casey, Stella, Sylvie, and Herrmann, inspiring each of them to become leaders, pursue their own goals, and pave the way forward for the next generation of first responders.

Boden is missed in Chicago Fire season 13 because he treated every member of 51 like family and supported each of their career trajectories. Although Pascal is new to the show and has a slightly different perspective, he is willing to help Herrmann follow in Boden’s footsteps to become the chief of 51 sometime in the near future.

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Chicago Fire

Release Date

October 10, 2012

Showrunner

Andrea Newman

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  Taylor Kinney

  Kelly Severide

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  David Eigenberg

  Christopher Herrmann