chicagoareafire.com

40 Comments

• #1 by mary morris on October 6, 2014 - 9:51 AM

  

  I went to open auditions and they had chicago fire t-shirts but I just had my credit card with which they didn’t accept so where can I purchase the shirts now is there a website. Thanks so much

• #2 by Pat on June 2, 2013 - 2:54 AM

  

  I watched the entire season of Chicago Fire and totally enjoyed it! Of course, anyone with any maturity knows that this is a scripted Hollywood series and not a real-life documentary of the CFD. Therefore, the backdrop of the firefighting profession is being utilized to tell a story of characters and actors as their lives are played out. And that is a broad definition of Drama. So, please, get over your whining and moaning that this doesn’t depict the real CFD or the fire service!! Of course it doesn’t! Look, guys, I am in the Army serving in an elite unit, and Hollywood “exploits” us to tell their stories. Yeah, even Zero Dark Thirty had huge technical flaws, but I am fairly certain you civilians enjoyed it! Same here. I am not a fireman but enjoy the stories, the camaraderie, the heroism, the ups and downs of those characters. Just like you guys enjoy the great military action dramas produced by Hollywood. So, please sit back and take a deep breath, enjoy your beers…and let us enjoy Chicago Fire for what it is! Thanks.

• #3 by spoung45 on May 30, 2013 - 11:58 AM

  

  got to be an extra on the show once my blurry body made it in the scene.

• #4 by cmk420 on May 29, 2013 - 7:51 PM

  

  Good first season; there are still some things that should be worked on before they start season 2.

• #5 by Brian on May 28, 2013 - 7:51 PM

  

  Robbie, Scott special made the facepieces for the show so you can see the faces of the actors. The cone is so far down that they need help putting on the regulator.

• #6 by SaraC on May 28, 2013 - 5:32 PM

  

  I started recording this show when it came on in the fall. We did not watch it until about a week ago. It is wonderful!!!!!!! My husband and I both really like it. We have watched two or three episodes every night. We will catch up tonight! Can’t wait for next season!!!!!! We will be watching it every week. So glad I recorded them all!!!!!!

• #7 by Julie on January 13, 2013 - 5:11 PM

  

  GREAT SHOW! I wish that there was a place to purchase ‘Chicago Fire’ clothing…ex. t-shirts, hoodies….

• #8 by Robbie Honeycutt on December 20, 2012 - 2:04 PM

  

  What type of mask are they using with the Paks? Are they made so you can see their face. They look much larger than the ones used with the paks we use today.

• #9 by RY on November 27, 2012 - 1:56 PM

  

  For you that are CFD or area fire buffs I have a question. In the pilot the ambulance as A61 was the former CFD A47, a 2004 Medic Master (CO55). When they started filing the series 3 months later they began using a Ford Super Duty (unk year) – shop number CO50. Any info on CO50 would be most appreciated. Thanks

• #10 by Josh B on November 26, 2012 - 5:58 PM

  

  Thanks Mike!

• #11 by Pat on November 26, 2012 - 3:57 PM

  

  @ Josh B

  The rigs are in the parking lot on the northwest side of the station. The tv show crew has guards watching over the rigs so no one messes with them. They just go out the back door to their rigs.

• #12 by Josh B on November 26, 2012 - 2:43 PM

  

  Question… When I drove past E18’s house today, The tv show was being filmed. Where is E18, Ambo, and 2-2-1 being stationed while they are filming??

• #13 by RY on November 26, 2012 - 7:57 AM

  

  @ Danny regarding interior firehouse filming. The firehouse interiors are filmed on a soundstage in Chicago, (not Hollywood) at the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. Exact replica of the firehouse interior including app bay where the apparatus is parked has been built.

• #14 by RY on November 26, 2012 - 7:37 AM

  

  It is Television – It is Entertainment – nothing more. They are going after specific demographic groups. Some events are based on actual incidents (key word- based), some are not. Just like every other television program out there, Lawyer shows, Doctor shows, etc are not accurate portrayals of their profession. And like any other television program, if you like it watch it, if not turn the channel.

• #15 by danny on November 24, 2012 - 3:09 PM

  

  if you dont like it dont watch its tv of course its gonna have pretty people on it and stituations that dont happen to normal people … but ti goes with the old saying juts cause you didnt see it doesnt mean it didnt happen

• #16 by Aylesworth on November 23, 2012 - 6:48 PM

  

  This show is making me ill. i just retired with 26 years and my girl friend/wife never spent any time in my bunk. None of the medics,except one, looked like these girls and none pushed drugs to the firemen. Dick Wolf should be ashamed,the show should be shut down. The CFD ish’t this.

• #17 by Jacob M on November 23, 2012 - 11:16 AM

  

  Did anyone notice the tone’s stunning relation to that of Emergency! and Mouch and Oatus’s relation to Chet?
  Weird..

• #18 by danny on November 22, 2012 - 5:00 PM

  

  they only film the interior firehouse shots in hollywood from what i hear they did an exact replica of the interior of quarters on a soundstage

• #19 by Bill Post on November 22, 2012 - 1:01 PM

  

  “Chicago Fire” Squad 3 received a new rig. If anyone here was watching Chicago Fire last night (November 21st) you may have noticed that Squad 3 was using a new rig (already?). Squad 3 had been using the 1990 Spartan Saulsbury, spare haz mat rig that was repainted from white over red to black over red for the TV show. As of the latest episode they have been using the 1996 HME Saulsbury spare squad that is renumbered as Squad 3 for the TV series.

  I guess that perhaps they were using the 1990 Spartan Saulbury as a real spare haz mat rig at the time. Or perhaps they needed a spare for the spare rig as it could have had some maintenance issues? Now that would be adding more “realism” to the show. I wonder what the story behind that is?

  All that said, I am still watching the show and I find it interesting. Just watching all of the scenes of Chicago and the CTA elevated trains in the background of the scenes are interesting. Apparently they had been doing a lot of filming in Chicago as opposed to Hollywood.

• #20 by ENG 17 on November 1, 2012 - 12:46 PM

  

  Ok, it’s been a month now. Is anybody still watching? Personally, I can’t get past about the first 15 minutes and somethinkg makes me let out a groan and change the channel to Storage Wars……

• #21 by jeff on October 12, 2012 - 5:21 PM

  

  It is truly ridiculous about how people are bad mouthing this show after 1 episode. The fact that they are using a different air pack are you for real! This is a show that is going to show all aspects of what it’s like to be a firefighter and paramedic. Dick Wolf has a great history of putting out entertaining shows. Stop bitching and lets see what happens. This show’s audience is not firefighters, paramedics and buffs, but the general population. So give it a rest!!!!

• #22 by Bill Post on October 12, 2012 - 4:31 PM

  

  Michael M., the fire station that is used for filming (at least in the first episode of the show) is Engine 18’s new quarters at 1360 S Blue Island, which explains why there is a great view of the Sears (Willis) tower from the station. It is on the near west side near the circle campus and the old south water market.

  I tend to agree with Bill Friedrich on this show. I’m for giving it some time to see what happens in subsequent episodes. It is not going to be a truly realistic depiction of the Chicago Fire Department or for that matter any real fire department, because it is being used for entertainment purposes (in other words a glorified soap opera). Until fairly recently police, doctor, and lawyer type shows have been a long time favorite of the television networks, and shows with a backdrop of a fire department and firefighters are much fewer and far between. There is no question that it will be over dramatized, but that said, one thing that I did like about the show was the rivalry between the squad and truck company. There have indeed been rivalries between squad and truck companies and even sometimes engine companies, so that part was at least a little realistic.

  In most major cities that run with squad or rescue companies (as they are called in some other cities), the squad assignments were always considered to be a prestigious position for people who liked to see all kinds of varied action. This also led to rivalries amongst companies. While it is known that the Chicago and the New York Fire Departments have had a long tradition using squad or rescue companies (for those interested in history), it is difficult for me to imagine how the Philadelphia Fire Department had gone for 28 years without using a rescue company. The Philadelphia Fire Department had been using four rescue companies until the early 1960s, and from 1963 until 1991 ran without a full-service heavy rescue company.

  The Los Angeles City Fire Department also never ran with a traditional heavy rescue company, and to this day their rescue company is a heavy-duty wrecker with only two men assigned to it. Their new Urban Search and Rescue companies are cross-manned when they are used.

• #23 by danny on October 12, 2012 - 2:33 PM

  

  well the department gave them a lot of real stories to work into the plots of episodes and storylines of characters, so much of what you see most likely came from some CFD member as an advisor to the show and it got worked in

• #24 by FF/EMT M. Nettleingham on October 12, 2012 - 8:04 AM

  

  Though for the first show it was OK. One thing that bugged me was the Lt from Squad Co 3 and the Medic from the Ambulance pretty much having a ‘drug deal’ inside the fire house. That just gives us a bad name. As a 2nd generation Firefighter/EMT in my family I’m shocked that it happened and a chief wasnt around to stop it and to take disaplinary action for it. Now as we know the fire house is a great place to work. They need to incorparate more of the fire house pranks on the Probie and less DRAMA!! Now I’m the type to give a 2nd chance on a show. I dont want this show to give the Chicago Fire Department a bad name. Ive had the honor of meeting of of the REAL Firefighters of Chicago Fire Dept in training and classes. Another thing I noticed that they where wearing Scott air packs when the REAL CFD wears MSA air packs. We’ll see if next week it will get better……

• #25 by chris r on October 12, 2012 - 6:07 AM

  

  When would the squad rappel down a bridge to look for an unknown body in the river. ALSO when would a fireman tackle a subject in a car crash. If this show lasts 4 more shows it will be people are too lazy to change the channel after law and order suv is over

• #26 by Michael M on October 12, 2012 - 5:59 AM

  

  Which Chicago fire house is in the show?

• #27 by Sebastian on October 11, 2012 - 9:00 PM

  

  Have to agree! Not a good representation of the CFD!!

• #28 by Zack on October 11, 2012 - 4:47 PM

  

  “I thought it was really cheesy. Like the squealing of the tires as the ladder truck rounds the corner. Or the guy on the ladder getting ready to go interior in an involved two story, without his mask on. Or no one in the ladder wearing seatbelts going on runs. And we cant forget the “backdraft” scene. And the right out of Ladder 49 fall through the floor scene. They will be out of ideas for the second show, if it makes it that far. Of course, there is a rookie, so you get all the Hollywood rookie stuff we have seen a million times. The female medic doing a cardiac sythesis on a juvenile in the back of the rig. Then the rig pulls away with tires squealing. Of course, there are already the fights in the station, and the smack talking between the units in the house. And the female medic supplying the FF with drugs. And the “relationships” that every show has to have. Its more about the people than the calls. It does get worse. Like during the “boxing match” just how bad it just actually is.

  It makes Chicago Fire look pretty bad. I hope CFD can step in and save its reputation. It’s not the worst show I have ever seen, but half an episode was enough to know its not good entertainment. Cheap maybe, but not good. The kids will love it…”[size=4pt]~Rich Krom[/size]

• #29 by Fred on October 11, 2012 - 3:31 PM

  

  Bill….I totally agree with your assessment, however even the acting was sub par. I do hope it improves.
  Another subject, did you ever publish Squad & Specialty Co’s 1966-1995? I have your Engine – Hook & Ladders book but not the other….

• #30 by Bill Friedrich on October 11, 2012 - 2:07 PM

  

  The things that I was disappointed in are as follows.

  1) The crew not using seat belts while responding. We lost two great members because of serious accidents and getting thrown from the rigs.

  2) No dress code. Come on and at least give the crew Class B uniforms to wear. Everyone was wearing something different including the LT’s.

  Other than that anything showing the CFD in action is a good thing. As someone said, you have to expect Hollywood to portray a show like this the way they need too. Give it a chance.

• #31 by Pat on October 11, 2012 - 1:43 PM

  

  It’s a TV Show…not real life. Entertainment. Are any movies/TV Shows realistic with everything? NO I knew it wouldn’t be realistic completely, just as Rescue Me wasn’t.

• #32 by John H on October 11, 2012 - 12:18 PM

  

  I know many of you already realize this, but the vast majority of people who frequent this website are NOT the t.v. show’s target audience. You can say the same for cop shows, doctor shows, etc., etc. Producing a t.v. show — for prime-time t.v. viewers — that much more accurately protrays any of these professions would not likely have broad, popular appeal–in fact, most people who have this ‘romantic’ view of life in an urban firehouse would probably be extremely disappointed and bored at what a routine day at the firehouse looks like.

• #33 by Nick N on October 11, 2012 - 12:09 PM

  

  I watched the pilot for the first time yesterday, and my first reaction is simply meh. While I certainly wasn’t expecting a real view of any fire department, I was hoping to get something a bit more realistic than what was shown. With all of the hype they made about its realism, I was disappointed. There were plenty of major goofs throughout, but one that really made me laugh was when the crew walked off the scene of the fire to greet the mayor. There was a 5-11 fully involved structure right behind them, and after a few minutes, they were already taking their gear off and getting ready to leave the scene, lol… Anywho, I guess my FD media consumption will continue to be around watching real stuff like ShapPhotos excellent videos on YouTube. At least maybe I can learn something from them.

• #34 by JC on October 11, 2012 - 11:36 AM

  

  Yet another show that does nothing but play into all the awful negative stereotypes about firefighters. Now I know how all the Cops and doctors must feel with shows about their industry.

  I’m not a Rescue Me fan either, but at least that show had people who LOOKED like firefighters. It looks like Chicago Fire only cast Hollister models.

• #35 by tim on October 11, 2012 - 11:19 AM

  

  You people are stupid! There was nothing wrong with this show. It was very compelling. It’s nice to have a show that depicts firefighting. Emergency which to this day is the greatest show out there had its flaw. There has only been one episode it deserves a chance. It is not a documentary.

• #36 by Dennis Saam on October 11, 2012 - 10:32 AM

  

  What a let down. This show gives firefighting in general a black eye. If this stuff happened in real life we’d all be in trouble. What a work of fiction. Chicago Fire needs trailers stating that the show you are about to see is fiction, and in no way resembles real life.

• #37 by Mark on October 11, 2012 - 4:05 AM

  

  It reminded me of Backdraft. Not too bad, I’ll give it a chance.

• #38 by Mike 0 on October 10, 2012 - 11:22 PM

  

  Chicago Fire – Cannot wait until it is canceled!
  Horrible, what a terrible representation of the fire service and of the men and woman who make the job what it is. Really with this crap! Come on CFD pull this show before CFD takes a bad rap for letting Hollywood use the Great city of Chicago and the CFD for this bad show!.

• #39 by danny on October 10, 2012 - 5:47 PM

  

  its been available on nbc.com for a week looks good

• #40 by EUGENE O on October 10, 2012 - 3:32 PM

  

  great show,i love it chicago fire department best department in the midwest.

Comments are closed.