Changes are coming to Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire season 14, and one of them might be the separation of one of the show’s most iconic duos. What we know for sure, though, is that the NBC procedural drama TV series is saying goodbye to three firefighters in the upcoming episodes. Additionally, Truck 81 will be taking on a new first responder.

Jake Lockett’s Sam Carver and Michael Bradway’s Jack Damon are leaving Chicago Fire ahead of the season 14 premiere. Meanwhile, Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter will return at the beginning of the season but is set to exit after an unspecified number of episodes. And Brandon Larracuente’s Sal Vasquez is Firehouse 51’s newest firefighter. However, these aren’t the only big changes awaiting the characters.

Mouch Replaces Herrmann In Chicago Fire Season 14

Mouch Takes Over As Engine 51’s Lieutenant

During the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, Herrmann took a demotion so that Mouch could assume his role as Engine 51’s lieutenant. It all started when Boden expressed his wish to have Herrmann replace him as Firehouse 51’s chief in season 12. But since he didn’t have the qualifications to do so, Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal stepped in as the fire station’s leader.

Mouch pushed Herrmann to take the captain’s exam at the beginning of Chicago Fire season 13. If he passed, he would be a captain, of course, but he’d also be one step closer to being eligible to be a chief. Since Herrmann (reluctantly) set down this path, Mouch decided he wanted to become a lieutenant. He could then succeed Herrmann on Engine 51.

By the end of Chicago Fire season 13, Mouch passed his lieutenant’s test. However, when it came time for Herrmann to take the chief’s exam, he bowed out. Herrmann realized he didn’t want to be a chief. The desk job life just wasn’t for him. With Herrmann’s decision, though, came a very big problem — Engine 51 can only have one lieutenant.

Since Herrmann chose not to go through with taking the chief’s exam, he would have theoretically stayed on as Engine 51’s leader. But he didn’t want to cheat his best friend out of this opportunity. So, Herrmann informed Mouch that he was stepping down as Engine 51’s lieutenant. Consequently, Mouch would take over his role, and Herrmann would be a regular firefighter again.